Patrick Swayze Gave Producers An Ultimatum Before Agreeing To “Ghost”

Patrick Swayze’s dedication to his craft and his co-stars defined many of his roles, but his commitment to ensuring the right actor was cast in Ghost is a story of both artistic vision and integrity. When producers were unsure about casting a particular talent for the role of Oda Mae Brown, the unconventional psychic who helps Swayze’s character reconnect with his grieving girlfriend, Swayze was convinced that this actor’s unique energy was essential to the film’s success.

He felt so strongly about the casting choice that he issued an ultimatum to the producers: if they didn’t bring this actor on board, he wouldn’t agree to do the movie. This firm stance ultimately changed the course of the film, leading to a performance that not only captivated audiences but also earned widespread acclaim, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

That actor was, of course, Whoopi Goldberg in one of the best performances of her career. Even among film critics who expressed reservations about Ghost’s overall tone, Goldberg’s performance stood out as a defining element of the film’s success.

While David Ansen of Newsweek acknowledged the movie’s sentimental ending and Variety critiqued its fluctuating tone, Goldberg’s portrayal of Oda Mae Brown managed to transcend these criticisms. Janet Maslin of The New York Times noted that Goldberg played the character’s quirks – her amazement, irritation, and razor-sharp wit – to perfection, capturing a unique blend of humor and authenticity that energized the film.

Maslin described it as one of those rare roles that fit Goldberg’s uncategorisable talents perfectly. Even critics who were otherwise lukewarm on the film found themselves praising Goldberg’s performance, recognizing how her dynamic presence added an irreplaceable spark that elevated the narrative.

Whoopi Goldberg credits Patrick Swayze for her Academy Award achievement

Speaking about Ghost in a 2021 interview with Variety, Goldberg credits Patrick Swayze with securing her the part of Oda Mae Brown, recalling how he personally vouched for her after producers initially hesitated to cast her. She said Swayze told the producers, “If you’re not going to hire her, I am not going to be in this film.”

According to Goldberg nearly every Black woman in Hollywood, including TinaTurner and Patti LaBellewas considered for the role of Oda Mae. Swayze, keen on Goldberg playing the part, and director Jerry Zuckerflew to Alabama, where Goldberg was filming The Long Walk Home with Sissy Spacekso they could do a reading together.

Goldberg recalls having immediate chemistry with Swayze, saying, “He and I just took to each other.” Director Zucker was also impressed, noting that Goldberg excelled during the audition, especially with the comedic lines.
When Zucker and Goldberg recently discussed his initial reluctance to cast her, she teased him, saying: “You forgot that I could act.”

“She was kidding, but it was absolutely true,” he admits. “I was so afraid of casting a comedian or someone associated with comedy, that it took me a while to make that decision. But in the end, Whoopi’s ability to be hysterically funny without ever breaking character is what makes the film work.”

During the first table read, Goldberg suggested new lines that were added to the script. She brought swagger to her character, delivering iconic lines like “Molly, you in danger, girl,” with style.

“Oda Mae eventually stopped being how I originally envisioned her, and became Whoopi,” Zucker says.

Even though things were falling into place during production, neither Zucker nor Goldberg anticipated the massive success of Ghost. “We weren’t sure what the hell we were making,” Goldberg says. He set, she and Swayze joked that the film might turn out to be “the dopiest thing we’ve ever done.”

“I don’t think any of us expected it to have this kind of impact,” she adds. “Then the box office numbers started rolling in, and everyone was like, ‘Do we have back end on this movie? Because I’d like someone.’”

The legacy of Ghost

Ghost became a massive commercial success not only because of its unique blend of romance, suspense, and supernatural elements, but also due to its ability to create memorable cinematic moments that resonated with audiences long after its release.

One of the most iconic scenes in film history – the sensual pottery wheel moment shared between Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore – has become emblematic of Ghost’s enduring impact on pop culture. This scene, paired with the haunting strains of the Righteous Brothers’ “Unchained Melody,” epitomizes the film’s emotional depth and has been referenced and parodied in countless other works, including The Naked Gun 2½: The Smell of Fear and Two and a Half Men. The scene’s legacy as a defining piece of 90s cinema speaks to the film’s ability to weave profound sentiment with visual artistry in a way that audiences found unforgettable.

Beyond its iconic moments, Ghost’s success also inspired a range of adaptations and re-imaginings that have contributed to its lasting legacy. A musical stage adaptation, Ghost: The Musicalpremiered in the UK in 2011 before moving to London’s West End, bringing the story to life in a new medium.

The film was also reimagined in Japan as Ghost: In Your Arms Againa remake that changed the ghost’s gender and offered a fresh cultural perspective on the original plot. These reinterpretations highlight the universality of Ghost’s themes and its ability to connect with audiences across different formats and cultures.

Even decades after its release, Ghost continues to influence modern storytelling and remains a relevant touchstone in the film industry. In 2023, Channing Tatum announced plans to produce and star in a remake of the film, with the rights acquired by his company, Free Association. This upcoming remake, coupled with the 2023 BET+ film The Reading, which pays homage to Ghost through a character name inspired by the beloved Oda Mae Brown, illustrates how the film’s legacy persists not just in Hollywood but also in newer interpretations that honor its classic elements. Without any doubt, Ghost has achieved an enduring legacy as a film that transcends its era, continuing to captivate and inspire audiences around the world.

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