Tom Hanks reveals Charlize Theron auditioned for different role in That Thing You Do! as film celebrates 25th anniversary

That thing you do!
Tom Hanks shares what really went down at Charlize Theron’s audition (Picture: Getty Images/Rex/Shutterstock)

That Thing You Do! Was released 25 years ago and Tom Hanks has revealed that Charlize Theron almost ended up with a different role.

Tom, 65, who wrote and co-starred in the musical comedy, has revealed what went down in the writing, casting and shooting of the film as he reflects on its anniversary.

The actor shared the lasting impression made by the then unknown Charlize, who played Tina Powers in the 1996 film about a pop rock band trying to emulate The Beatles.

However, in her first audition, she had other ideas about which role she wanted.

According to Tom, Charlize, who was just 19 at the time, ‘read on the very first day’ of auditions, and if it was down to her, she wouldn’t have ended up with the role of Guy ‘Shades’ Patterson’s girlfriend.

Tom shared: ‘She said, “Listen, I know I can play Tina, but I want to play Faye.” I said, “I get that,” but what I was thinking in my head was, “You’re too much of a supernova to play Faye.”’

Editorial use only. No book cover usage. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Phillip Caruso/20th Century Fox/Clinica Estetico/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock (5880495h) Steve Zahn, Jonathan Schaech, Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, Ethan Embry That Thing You Do! - 1996 Director: Tom Hanks 20th Century Fox/Clinica Estetico USA Scene Still That Thing You Do
Tom Hanks both wrote and starred in the musical comedy (Picture: Phillip Caruso/20th Century Fox/Clinica Estetico/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

The part of Jimmy’s girlfriend Faye eventually went to Liv Tyler after she caught Tom’s eye with not just her dazzling movie star looks, but also her talent and personality.

Tom, who played Mr. Amos White, confessed that casting Charlize ‘was such a coup,’ while producer Ed Saxon told him they’d ‘just met a movie star’ after meeting her in auditions.

Editorial use only. No book cover usage. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Phillip Caruso/20th Century Fox/Clinica Estetico/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock (5880495j) Liv Tyler, Jonathan Schaech That Thing You Do! - 1996 Director: Tom Hanks 20th Century Fox/Clinica Estetico USA Scene Still That Thing You Do
That Thing You Do! is celebrating 25 years since its release (Picture: Phillip Caruso/20th Century Fox/Clinica Estetico/Kobal/REX/Shutterstock)

‘She was smart, glamorous, and had a phenomenal sense of humour, and when she said the words, you were like, “there’s a whole character there,” Saxon said. 

Despite glowing reviews of her initial audition, Charlize herself does not have positive memories of it, she expressed on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert in 2018.

‘It was not good! I don’t know why he gave me the role, I mean, honestly,’ she exclaimed.

UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 26: Charlize Theron attends the CTAOP's Night Out 2021: Fast And Furious at Universal Studios Backlot on June 26, 2021 in Universal City, California. (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)
Charlize Theron has become a Hollywood star since her role in the comedy (Picture: Getty)

That Thing You Do! Was just Theron’s second project in her career, and she’s gone on to become a household name.

Now 46 years old and a three time Oscar nominee, the actor scored the best actress award for her role in Monster in 2004.

She’s also starred in titles such as Atomic Blonde, Mad Max: Fury Road and Snow White and the Huntsman.

The star’s next project will be a sequel to Netflix’s adaptation of The Old Guard.

Charlize appeared in the first movie and has confirmed production will start in early 2022.

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