What if one of Hollywood's most beloved actors, George Clooney, had starred in a holiday movie so terrible it would have frozen his career? Well, it almost happened!
Imagine a world where Clooney, the iconic Batman, took on a role that would have made 'Batman & Robin' look like a masterpiece. According of the LA Times, he was initially set to play the lead in the 1998 Christmas comedy 'Jack Frost', a film that ended up with a chilling 19% on Rotten Tomatoes.
But here's the twist: Clooney's involvement didn't melt away completely. The special effects team, Jim Henson's Creature Shop, revealed that the puppet for Jack Frost was modeled after none other than George Clooney himself! This is despite the fact that Michael Keaton, another former Batman, eventually took on the role.
The production was a snowstorm of challenges. Originally, Clooney was attached to star under the direction of Sam Raimi, known for 'The Evil Dead'. However, Keaton and director Troy Miller joined the project late, causing a flurry of last-minute changes. The puppet's design had to be adjusted to resemble Keaton, but traces of Clooney's influence remained.
And this is the part most people miss—'Jack Frost' could have been a very different movie. With Raimi's slapstick expertise, it might have been a hilarious holiday treat. Instead, it became a frosty flop, leaving audiences cold regardless of the actor voicing the snowman.
Is it fair to judge a movie based on what could have been? Share your thoughts on this almost-reality and whether you think Clooney dodged a bullet or missed out on a unique opportunity.