The reasoning goes like this.
In 2003, Hollywood still firmly believed in the power of star appeal. When a top-tier actor joined a project, the entire process became much easier, and there was even a blind pursuit of big stars. As a result, resources became concentrated in the hands of a select few.
However, Hollywood slowly began to realize that while stars could be trusted, it was dangerous to rely on them blindly or put all hopes on their shoulders. The most direct example of this came two years later with Ocean's Thirteen.
Although Ocean's Twelve underperformed at the box office, Ocean's Thirteen was a double failure in terms of both reviews and ticket sales, proving once and for all that relying solely on star power wouldn't make a movie truly successful.
Thus, a new challenge emerged:
How can stars be used correctly?
This required both time and experience. The casting of Robert Downey Jr. in Iron Man was a fluke; if their repeated attempts to convince Tom Cruise hadn't failed, Hollywood might have needed more time to shift the focus of a project from star power to the work itself.
Now, the same principle applied here.
Jim Carrey and Anson Wood, Nicole Kidman and Kate Winslet.
These are heavyweight names. Any one of them could help an unknown indie film get noticed by production companies. The fact that Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind had them as potential options was a kind of "Versailles problem" (meaning it's a luxurious dilemma to have).
So, analyzing it from the perspectives of box office, awards, PR strategies, and promotion, the conclusion would be that there were pros and cons to each – there was no correct answer.
Therefore, why not set aside the actors and return to the script and characters?
In Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the two lead characters, Joel and Clementine, weren't written arbitrarily. Charlie Kaufman liked to explore the inner world of his characters, naturally giving each of them defined traits, personalities, and psychological depth.
From the start, Joel and Clementine represented two starkly different styles:
Joel was cautious and steady, while Clementine was wild, impulsive, and emotionally sensitive. While not complete opposites, they were definitely very different.
Moreover, Charlie left room for interpretation, allowing the director and actors to infuse their own colors, giving the plain script a soul. This made the actors' importance stand out even more.
"I like Kate," Anson said.
"She has this contradictory aura about her—somewhere between nobility and down-to-earth, elegance and wildness. There's an unpredictability, like a sudden summer storm that clears just as quickly as it comes, leaving you no time to open an umbrella."
"I believe Kate could give Clementine this same blend of contradictions that would make her relatable. On the other hand, Nicole, as wonderful as she is, feels too polished for Clementine."
"It's a subtle feeling."
"To be honest, from my perspective, Clementine has hints of bipolar disorder. Outsiders might only see one extreme—either her highs or her lows—but those who spend every day with her know it's not easy. It's like being on a rollercoaster that's a little too intense."
"Such a character, if mishandled, could easily become someone the audience dislikes, making them wish Joel had completely erased Clementine from his memory. But we know that's not how it should be. Kate has the ability to make her likable."
"Just like she did with Rose."
Anson shared all these thoughts without pause or reservation.
Beside him, Charlie remained expressionless, looking like an outsider. But if you observed closely, you'd see the focused intensity and contemplation in his eyes, showing he was fully immersed in Anson's words.
As for Michelle?
Michelle's mouth hung slightly open. She was no longer worried about a fly flying in, her excitement almost overflowing from her eyes.
"That's it!" she exclaimed, slamming her hands down on the table.
Unable to contain herself, Michelle jumped to her feet. Her curly hair bounced with her movement.
"That's exactly what I've been saying! Kate! Kate is different. Her acting style is different. She brings a unique quality to her characters!"
"This is a man's story—a story written by a man, directed by a man, with a male perspective on love. But I believe Kate can break free from the male gaze and the objectification that comes with it, giving the character more possibilities, making her feel alive."
"And Nicole?"
"Don't get me wrong—I love Nicole. She's an amazing actress, but she's just not right for this. In this story, she'd look like a caged bird, and that would undermine the entire structure."
"Making a movie isn't that simple. Why don't those guys understand?"
It was a whirlwind of excitement.
Michelle, who had kept a poker face since Los Angeles, finally showed her true self—animated, expressive, and unable to stop talking. Her cheeks turned red as she glanced at Charlie and then at Anson, awkwardly freezing in place.
She felt embarrassed.
She admitted she had initially favored Jim Carrey and had entered this meeting with bias. But after talking with Anson face-to-face, her perception gradually shifted, and Anson's remarks completely overturned her preconceived notions.
What truly mattered wasn't that Anson supported Kate, though Michelle was happy they were on the same page about that. The most important part was Anson's understanding.
His understanding of the characters, the script, and how he painted a vivid picture of the scenes through his words.
And by "picture," this didn't refer to how the film would be shot but to the interactions between the characters, the key moments in their performances, and their overall essence.
This wasn't an easy task. Though Hollywood had its fair share of geniuses, it was rare for someone to construct such a vivid picture of a role in their mind.
Jim Carrey couldn't do this, which was why Michelle had to explain the character's "picture" to him.
Of course, Jim Carrey's acting talent was undeniable. Aside from his comedic skills, he was gifted at using subtle expressions and movements to convey emotions, creating a sharp image. He preferred to use his body to perform, feel, and explore—a different kind of actor.
But Anson?
Michelle hadn't expected this.
And it proved Anson had read the script thoroughly—not just memorizing lines or reading the story but diving deep into the psychology of the characters and the world Charlie Kaufman had created.
That was the truly impressive part.
Michelle had assumed Anson had been lost in the recent whirlwind of applause and praise, too busy to focus on anything else.
Clearly, she was wrong—arrogance and prejudice never go out of style.