John Candy, the beloved comedian known for his roles in classic films like Planes, Trains and Automobiles and Home Alone, almost starred in the 1996 film Thinner, based on Stephen King’s novel. A recent release from Scream Factory featuring commentary from producer Mitchell Galin sheds light on King’s desire to cast Candy, illustrating how the late actor’s decision to decline the role might have been one of the best choices for his legacy.
Thinner, directed by Tom Holland, tells the story of Billy Halleck, portrayed by Robert John Burke. Halleck, an overweight lawyer, is cursed by the father of an elderly Romani woman he accidentally kills. The curse causes him to lose weight uncontrollably, leading to unexpected consequences. Initially, the film team saw Candy as the perfect fit for this lead character, but King’s playful remark about saving Candy’s life signals the darker undertones of casting someone based on their weight.
According to Galin, King had genuinely pushed for Candy to take on the role. "We’ll pay him [Candy] a nice chunk of money, and we’ll save his life,” King reportedly joked. Yet, the humor may have masked the seriousness of the situation; the producers sought Candy due to his weight, acknowledging the character’s physical transformation required for the plot. Despite their interest, Candy didn’t connect with the material and opted not to participate.
“He didn’t spark to the material or didn’t want to do it; whatever the reason, you respect it,” Galin reflected. With no positive response from Candy, they moved forward with Burke, known for his role in RoboCop 3. Yet, many fans of Candy believe he would have brought unique charm and depth to the role.
The choice to decline the role of Billy Halleck proved incredibly wise for Candy, particularly when considering the film's reception. Thinner has often been criticized as one of the weakest adaptations of King’s works, falling short of the acclaim received by The Shining and Misery.
Importantly, Candy’s decision highlights broader issues faced by actors, particularly concerning body image and industry pressures. With many actors, like Tom Hanks, facing health repercussions when the industry emphasizes weight loss for role preparation, Candy’s health likewise may have been at risk had he taken the part. The commitment to transforming his body for the role could have led to detrimental effects.
Soon after rejecting the role, Candy passed away from heart complications, just two years prior to Thinner’s release. His decline of the role reflects both personal integrity and intuition about maintaining his brand as one of Hollywood’s foremost comedic talents, rather than allowing himself to be relegated to the stereotype of the heavyset actor.
While some assume certain roles could make careers, Candy’s case serves as a reminder of the sometimes destructive nature of such decisions. Often, actors quickly find themselves boxed-in by the roles offered to them—and Candy sought to avoid such limitations.
Critics had various opinions about Thinner, describing it as campy and lacking the depth found in other King adaptations. If Candy had taken the role, the portrayal would have likely shifted to focus on his physicality rather than his acting skills. This could have led to him being typecast as the “fat friend,” much like countless other actors have experienced, limiting their career prospects.
Film historians and fans alike agree: Candy made the right decision to pass on the part of Billy Halleck. Not only could he have faced criticism during the film’s release had it floundered (as it did), but his weight would have become fodder for media scrutiny. The industry’s fixation on weight, especially for actors, remains relevant even today, and Candy’s legacy is far too important to be overshadowed by such trivial categorizations.
Now, as the film is available for streaming on Paramount+, its standing as one of the less favorable adaptations of King’s work serves as assurance for many fans and film analysts alike. Candy’s choices, deeply immersed in his integrity as both actor and person, continue to inspire admiration from audiences who celebrate his talents.
