Jennifer Lopez's new film This Is Me...Now features a host of guest stars, from Jane Fonda to Post Malone to Neil deGrasse Tyson. But the cast almost looks very different.
As revealed in the film's behind-the-scenes documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told (premiering on Prime Video on February 27), Lopez and her team reached out to a number of celebrities in hopes of appearing In the movie.
Rather than shielding the casting process from public view, as most artists do, J.Lo showed it all, going through the list of rejected stars and speaking openly about those who had concerns about the film. "I don't want to force anyone to do it unless they say, 'This would be fun,'" she said.
She even opened up about why she thought some of these celebrities rejected her offers. "Nobody wants to say no to me, Benny, and I get it," she told her longtime manager, Benny Medina, over the phone. "But that's what actors say when they don't like the script, or don't think the script is good enough, or are worried about the script. I know. I've done it."
Ultimately, J.Lo assembled a remarkably diverse A-list cast, most of whom played the zodiac signs in her imaginative zodiac committee, including Sofia Vergara as Cancer , starring Trevor Noah as Leo.
However, here are 11 celebrities mentioned in The Greatest Love Story Never Told who were tapped to star in This Is Me...Now .
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift was "rejected", presumably because of her ongoing Eras tour. Swift previously performed with J.Lo on the Red Tour and invited her to sing "Jenny From the Block" at a show in Los Angeles.
Jason Momoa
The actor said he "couldn't take part" in the film. While he's never worked with J.Lo, the pair's zodiac signs are indeed Leo, perhaps indicating that Leo is the character she wanted him to play.
Jennifer Coolidge
The White Lotus Star also "disappeared". The two Jennifers had previously worked together in "Shotgun Wedding," in which Coolidge played J.Lo's hysterical future mother-in-law.
Lizzo
Lizzo is another artist "absent" from the film. J.Lo previously worked with the singer on the 2019 film Hustlers , which marked Lizzo's live-action debut.
Vanessa Hudgens
J.Lo's longtime producing partner Elaine Goldsmith-Thomas asked the team if they wanted Vanessa Hudgens , who starred alongside Lopez in the 2019 film Second Act Hudgens), but was told she was also absent. "Oh, that's okay," she said.
Grande Ariana
Ariana Grande can't take part in the film because "she's in London until September," where she's filming the upcoming Wicked movie. While the two haven't worked together, they are clearly mutual fans, with J.Lo posting a selfie with Grande in 2018 and writing, "Love this little guy. Grande's hit single." Thank U, Next" is also briefly referenced in "This Is Me...Now".
snoop dogg
Unfortunately, the rapper simply "wasn't available." Although he and J.Lo have been in the same circle for many years, the two have never actually collaborated.
Khloe Kardashian
According to J.Lo, Khloé Kardashian was originally going to have an unknown cameo in the film, but later dropped out. She even speculated on why Kardashian and other stars might quit. "People are scared, afraid of exposing themselves," she told her choreographer. "I got it. It took me a long time. I was scared. I acted like I wasn't scared, but that's been my secret my whole career."
bad bunny
After collaborating with the rapper on his 2018 hit single "Te Guste," J.Lo briefly considered having Bad Bunny appear and join him on the Super Bowl halftime stage in 2020. Cameo playing the bad boy," she said. However, it's unclear if he was offered the role and turned it down, or if J.Lo and her team simply gave up on the idea.
Anthony Ramos
Anthony Ramos was originally intended to play J.Lo's abusive dance partner in the "Rebound" video, giving him a bigger role in the film than most celebrities. However, he hesitated because he was concerned that the concept was an allusion to J.Lo's ex-husband, Marc Anthony, who is a friend of his.
She tried to ease Ramos' concerns over the phone, pointing out that Anthony was the father of her twins, Max and Emmi. "I would never do anything to actually find him out," she said. "You're playing something that represents multiple relationships, not one specific one." Ramos still didn't move on, and dancer Gilbert Saldivar took over the role.
Shenzhen Aviation Association
While no one mentions SZA in the film, a call sheet showing the Zodiac Council's cast and layout shows the singer in her Scorpio sign but with her name crossed out. J.Lo's Hustlers co-star Keke Palmer ended up playing Scorpio, which means SZA was likely to appear in the movie, but had to drop out for unknown reasons.
