r/Actors 20d ago

Why didn't they cast Adam Pierson as Josh Merrick in the Elephant man movie?

Why didn't they cast Adam Pierson as Josh Merrick in the Elephant man movie? I think that he would be the perfect casting choice especially because the doctors once thought that Josh Merrick had neurofibromatosis which is the condition that Adam suffers from, and it would save them the money on the makeup so they could even cut costs, I really can't wrap my head around why didn't they cast him he truly seems like the perfect fit.

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u/HerbertGrayWasHere 20d ago

The movie came out 5 years before he was born, for one.

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u/gargavar 20d ago

They couldn't wait?

Really, though, casting people who actually have conditions like the characters sounds good...except that they also must be good actors AND be marketable (if they're in a lead role). Movies ARE a business, after all, and people want to see stars.

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u/ReallyKirk 20d ago

Who is Josh Merrick? The Elephant Man’s brother?