MovieChat Forums > My Girl (1991) Discussion > Who else do you think could've played th...

Who else do you think could've played the lead roles?


I think 3 of the actors from Full House could've done so. Candace Cameron who played DJ Tanner, not only looks like Anna Chlumsky, but she's also very interchangeable to her as an actress. She's very sentimental, which was evident even in her Full House days, when being a daughter to her widow of a father, Danny Tanner(played by Bob Saget) was as important for her as it was for Vada to be a daughter to her widow of a father, Harry. See the connection? Candace could've played Vada and Bob Saget could've played Harry.(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36_8Ywo9SMU).

The third actor from Full House who I had in mind would be Jodie Sweetin who played Stephanie Tanner. She's not as dramatic as Candace Cameron, but she was the charismatic one of the two, and probably could've played the hypochondriac side of Vada better.

Last but not least, there's Thomas J, who I hear was originally supposed to be played by Elijah Wood. I can see that working.

That's all I got. If you have any more suggestions, feel free to post. I know it's hard to think about other actors being casted in this movie instead of the ones that were already casted(believe me. I was doubting whether I should post this thread or not), but don't take it so hard. Posting your ideas can be harmless if you let it. It can be fun. Especially if you think along the lines of the material. That just means you still hold it in high regard.

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I could see Gabby Hoffman as Vada. And almost any other little boy in the role of Thomas J, since Mac Culkin absolutely could not act. Elijah Wood could have worked for sure.

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I could see Gabby Hoffman as Vada.


Interesting choice. I've only seen her in "Uncle Buck", but that's a good enough movie to consider her for "My Girl". Not because she starred alongside Macaulay Culkin either, lol. I mean who didn't? Elijah Wood eventually did that too.

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Thanks for your response btw.

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I do actually think if we're talking actors at the time, Cameron would have been too old.


Candace Cameron was too old for My Girl, but not too old for My Girl 2 by the time of that scene I posted of her and Bob Saget. They could've ruled from 1987-1991 with Full House and the My Girl movies going for them.


Sweetin would have been the only one, and while she was a good actress, I don't know if I could see her in this. It almost seemed like she'd be too light-hearted in scenes that call for more depth and drama.


I think she could've handled playing the role of a tomboy and a hypochondriac(probably better than Candace), but I don't know about the drama. You're probably right about that.


I thought of a female lead. but it might be silly. The actress who play Al in "Step by Step.' I never saw her in anything, but she could have had the right look. Maybe...


Your choice isn't as silly as it is relatable. "Family" is a big theme in the movie "My Girl", just as it is in sitcoms, so choosing an actor from one could work depending on who's chosen.

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Some like to make fun of "Full House," but it was more some of the writing in the later years that made it silly, and in the beginning it was actually not a cheesy show; especially for what were family shows at the time.


I personally preferred the last few seasons of Full House(6-8) over the first five seasons(though I like the overall show). I just feel like, had the show actually started with how it ended, it might not have looked so dated next to the faster paced sitcoms that were stealing viewers. The potential for Full House to keep up with those shows really was there. I mean, besides the scenery freshening up, the cast seemed more comfortable with acting together as the Tanner sisters were growing up, which could've made for an exciting transition, had Full House continued. It could've went from a wholesome family sitcom, to a faster paced family sitcom. Unfortunately, eight years of doing the former, cost the show it's potential to fully evolve.

Nonetheless, it's good to talk to a fellow fan of the show. Especially on this board where you can compare it to My Girl. I see a lot of comparisons between the two, and i'm glad someone else is not only interested, but can also draw their own comparisons to My Girl with another sitcom. I've only seen bits and pieces of Step by Step(which was on TGIF btw), but I may have to see more of it now lol. For reasons already mentioned, and because i'm big on 90s nostalgia.

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and then I didn't like Jesse and Rebecca's twins.


I hear you on this. The twins were the only characters on the show, who I didn't like. They really didn't have their own identity and not because they were identical, but because they were obvious cash ins on the success of the Olsen twins, and bad ones at that. At least Michelle acted somewhat independent and didn't ride the coat tails of the other characters without a good payoff, unlike her two cousins, who were useless, even with their parents around.

No worries though. Their parents more than made up for it, as I still bought them as such, and as members of the overall family. I wanted to see more of them, but ss you said, John Stamos was ready to move on. As well as Candace Cameron.
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I think Thora Birch would have been a good choice as Vada. Thora was also in a film called Paradise with Elijah Wood. It would have been interesting to see them both in this film.


I also think Danielle Fishel would have been a good choice.

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Thora was also in a film called Paradise with Elijah Wood. It would have been interesting to see them both in this film.


Agreed. I mean, I didn't know both of them were in "Paradise", but that's a close enough movie to "My Girl". There's also the movie "Now and Then" to go by though. Probably for a few actresses. Two of which have already been mentioned.


I also think Danielle Fishel would have been a good choice.


She qualified the most on the first season of Boy Meets World, when her character and the class nerd shared a similar relationship to the one Vada had with Thomas J.

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Interesting.

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