Welcome to The OC’s biggest reveals: Chris Pine’s audition, the paternity of Theresa’s child, and more

The co became a television phenomenon when it premiered in 2003. The beloved teen soap opera captivated viewers when troubled teenager Ryan Atwood comes to live in the glitzy, privileged world of Newport Beach, California. Over the course of 4 seasons, fans have witnessed the ebb and flow of Ryan and Marissa’s star-studded romance, the blossoming of Seth and Summer’s relationship, and numerous shocking twists. (He goes away group of imogene “Hide hide.”)

Welcome to OC: The Oral Historywritten by Alan Sepinwall, The co The creator Jose Schwartzand executive producer Stefania Selvaggia, provides insight into the origins of the show and what really happened behind the scenes. From recognizable names vying for major roles to the aftermath of Marissa’s tragic death in season three, Hollywood life has the definitive guide to this stellar, nostalgic trip down memory lane.

Olivia Wilde was nominated for the role of Marissa

While Olivia Wilde he would play Alex, the Bait Shop employee who becomes romantically involved with Seth and Marissa. She was initially nominated for the role of Marissa Cooper. In the book, the casting director. Patrick Rush he admits that instead of wanting Olivia for Marissa Mischa Barton.

“I was more excited about Olivia because I think Olivia was naturally a better actress. Not as experienced, just better,” Patrick says. Josh adds: “We thought she was phenomenal and we really liked her. Ultimately, though, Olivia comes from a position of true strength. Marissa was someone who needed to feel real vulnerability around her. Ryan enters her life and tries to help save Marissa from the dark forces swirling around her. And Olivia was someone who didn’t need saving at all.”

The co The team ran “tons of tests” for Marissa, including Kat Mara. Josh had a line in the script where he described Marissa as “the most beautiful girl in the world and she knows it, and she’s a little embarrassed.” She notes: “Marissa needed to live in this world where everyone is attractive, but there’s something about her that makes her feel bad. He seems tall. And that’s how Mischa got the role.

Andrew McCarthy was in the fray with Jimmy Cooper

It’s hard to imagine anyone else Tate Dovan like the unfortunate Jimmy Cooper. During the casting process, member of the Brat Pack Andrew McCarthy was in the mix to play Julie’s husband.

“We had a great conversation with Andrew McCarthy, who turned out not to be Jimmy,” Stephanie says in the book. “He said very interesting things about the character we introduced into the story. We had talked about Jimmy Cooper “doing the right thing” by marrying Julie when she became pregnant with him. Andrew McCarthy said: ‘For Jimmy’s parents, ‘the right thing to do’ is to have an abortion. They don’t want him to marry Julie, so if he marries Julie, he’s doing it for a reason other than his parents not liking him. Her parents want her to marry someone of her own social class and have children in her thirties. They don’t support it. And I thought that was really interesting because Andrew McCarthy was the same age as the character and he went through that level and experienced those values ​​in a way that made it seem like what he was saying was true.

Beautiful in pink star Jon Cryer read for the role of Sandy Cohen, which went to Peter Gallagher. “2003 was the year the Brat Pack were going to be on television,” says Josh.

Chris Pine didn’t get the role of Ryan due to acne

Casting the role of Ryan Atwood was difficult for the casting team. While Chris Pinho He had a solid audition, the casting director explains why he didn’t get the role.

“We saw Chris Pine, who was really good. I hate to say it, but it’s the truth: Chris Pine was at an age where he had very serious skin problems,” says Patrick. “And that’s when he seemed insurmountable. And as a kid growing up with horrible skin, he broke my heart. But Chris Pine is fine now. He is fine.

Garrett Hedlund He was also in the running to play Ryan. “And then, in the middle of that process, they cast him in the lead role Troy” reveals Josh.

The Olsen twins “saved” Rachel Bilson

During the first season, the cast became household names. The “Core Four” began to receive large numbers of fans and press attention. Rachel Bilson I remember I accidentally left Adam Brody back inside TRL when he was “surrounded by a huge crowd”.

And he adds: “And the Olsen twins saved me and threw me in the car. I left Brody behind because I was very nervous and didn’t know what to do. And they said, “Don’t you need to find your boyfriend?” And I said, “Oh yeah, we gotta go get it.” I was harassed.

The paternity of Theresa’s son: Ryan or Eddie?

Theresa’s story is very controversial among The co fans, especially Ryan and Marissa shippers. At the end of the first season, Ryan returns to Chino after learning that Theresa is pregnant. In the season two premiere, Theresa fakes a miscarriage, which prompts Ryan to return to Chino.

Fans have been wondering about the paternity of Theresa’s child for years. Is it Father Ryan or his abusive ex Eddie? Ryan visits Theresa in season 2 and her son looks a lot like Ryan, leading fans to assume that Ryan is the father.

Josh and Stephanie claim that Eddie is the father of Theresa’s child. However, Navi Rawat, who played Theresa, sees things differently. “I always thought it was Ryan’s,” she says. “And Theresa didn’t want to tell him because she loved him as a friend and because it was a decision she had made on her own. “I think she did it in the spirit of their friendship and in the spirit of loving him enough to set him free.”

Marissa’s death was the ‘biggest mistake’

Marissa’s heartbreaking death at the end of season three changed the course of the series forever. Mischa admits that being killed was “a little upsetting. But I think he was going in the direction that was becoming inevitable. The character was doing too much. And I think they’ve run out of places to go. It wasn’t the best thing in the world, [but] There wasn’t much you could do at that point. The question was whether she could sail into the sunset or die. At this point, I think it’s better to have a more dramatic ending.”

Kelly Rowan, who plays Kirsten Cohen, says she thinks killing Marissa would be “the biggest mistake they would ever make. The whole quartet, the chemistry with those four actors, ruining everything, I thought it was a big mistake. “I don’t know the details of why this decision was made.”

Stephanie remembers “crying” when she saw Marissa’s death scene for the first time. “I thought, what have we done? Not only was Marissa’s death sad, but we made a terrible, terrible mistake,” she admits.

Josh acknowledges that they could have revived Marissa in season four. “That said, in season four, the show led to a creative renaissance. But was it worth it?”, he thinks. Kelly points out that her daughter is now watching the show and asked her mother why they killed off Mischa’s character. “From the show’s point of view, having annoyed that quartet, you never recovered.” . The co It ended in 2007 after 4 seasons.