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Pretty in Pink’ at 40: Director Howard Deutch Recounts Casting Fights and On-Set Tensions

In a new PEOPLE interview, Deutch says studio resistance to Molly Ringwald as lead defined the film’s casting.

Overview

  • Speaking ahead of the 40th anniversary, Deutch reflects on how the 1986 teen classic came together and why its legacy endures.
  • He says he and writer John Hughes pushed back against studio efforts to consider other actresses before securing Ringwald for Andie Walsh.
  • According to Deutch, Ringwald advocated for Andrew McCarthy to play Blane after winning the lead role.
  • Deutch recalls McCarthy was initially “not that nice” to Ringwald on set before their rapport improved, noting they were 23 and 16, respectively, during filming.
  • He also addresses reported friction between McCarthy and Jon Cryer, which Cryer says was resolved in 2012, adding his 2024 perspective that McCarthy had been struggling with alcohol at the time.