I've mentioned this topic in the comments but enough people are interested that I should sound off in a more official capacity. Recently, given that most people know that Jessica Lange plans to depart after Season 4, Ryan Murphy has started dropping casting wishlists for future seasons of American Horror Story. He name-checked both Reese Witherspoon (errr...okay?) and Michelle Pfeiffer (duh!). Pfeiffer is, of course, the most logical choice with which to fill the imposing vacuum that will be Lange's absence as the anthology's resident grande dame guignol. Like Lange, she's a huge respected talent from the 80s (formative years for Murphy) who can really tear it up onscreen but who today's younger TV-watching legions might still feel a certain "discovery" mania about since she hasn't been properly utilized in years.
There's only three problems.
Pfeiffer in 1991... having an old friend over for dinner
1) Pfeiffer doesn't do television. She doesn't even dabble. Pfeiffer ascended in 1988 (Tequila Sunrise, Married to the Mob, and Dangerous Liaisons all arrived within five months of each other catapulting the rising star of Witches of Eastwick to the A list with three moderate hits and her first significant awards attention) and since then she has appeared on television just once. In 1995 she filmed a cameo for "Picket Fences" as a surprise for her somewhat new (at the time) husband, TV giant David E Kelley.
2) Pfeiffer doesn't like the macabre. In the long long history of stars who've turned down soon-to-be iconic roles, Pfeiffer's pass on "Clarice Starling" for Silence of the Lambs (1991) is a biggie. She was at the peak of her career when the role was offered by her then recent collaborating director who publicly gushed about her (Jonathan Demme). But she passed because the project was too gruesome. Only in the perfect 20/20 of hindsight, if we're being honest, does the decision look dumb. It's not like cannibal-centric serial killer dramas about FBI agents who find heads in jars and get cum in their hair screams Oscars and all-time classic, you know?
3) Replacements Casts / Shark Jumping. The third reason is not why she'll say "no" but why I think she probably should if the gig is offered. Sure Pfeiffer could use the recognition (let's call it a remembrance) that she's one of the greats. It's positively silly how well it worked for Lange, if you think about it, merely pointing to how ignorant most people are about cinematic history before their, say, teenage years. Despite winning two Oscars people seemed genuinely surprised that Jessica Lange was such a fiery can't-look-away talent. But anyone who replaces Lange will be compared unfavorably since she's stayed long enough to become the show's signature face. Plus, all series have their sell-by dates and how much longer can American Horror Story stay fresh? Wouldn't a 5th season be a dangerous time to jump on board; nearly all TV ships spring leaks by the time they turn five.
Pfeiffer & Lange in 1996. One of my all time favorite actress photos
Better to pay Lange whatever she asks for and wrap the whole thing up for good, before it outstays its welcome, in season 5. And if Pfeiffer is miraculously interested in the project, better to PAIR HER with Lange and really burn the place down in a final season.
Agree? Disagree? Do tell.
[i'm aware that i'm a month behind in reviewing American Horror Story: Coven. It's tough to squeeze TV writing in during awards season!]