As we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the iconic 2005 film The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, adapted from Ann Brashares‘ beloved novel, memories of casting choices and auditions come flooding back. Notably, one audition that remains vivid in the mind of director Ken Kwapis is that of Blake Lively, who portrayed the spirited character Bridget Vreeland. In an insightful conversation with ScreenRant, Kwapis recounted how Lively, then just a 16-year-old aspiring actress with no prior acting experience, brought a unique energy to her audition. Alongside her were fellow actresses Alexis Bledel from Gilmore Girls, America Ferrara of Ugly Betty, and Amber Tamblyn. Together, these talented women embodied the characters of Bridget, Tibby, Lena, and Carmen—friends who discover a magical pair of jeans that fit all their diverse body types. As they embark on individual summer adventures, they share the jeans, symbolizing their journeys of self-discovery and transformation.
“Blake came in without anything on her resume. She’d never had an acting job before, and she was 16 when she auditioned for the role, but it was so clear in the room that she had this intuitive connection to that character. She was just perfect for it. She had a tough job, too. First time out of the gate as an actor in a major emotional picture, playing a character who’s dealing with some pretty weighty issues, specifically trying to process the death of a parent by suicide. She had some tough stuff to pull off, and she did it so beautifully.”
The Cast of ‘The Sisterhood’ Had No Prior Connections Before Filming
In a fascinating revelation, Kwapis shared that the talented actresses—Bledel, Tamblyn, Lively, and Ferrara—had not met each other before the production of the film began. Given that much of the storyline sees the girls embarking on personal journeys apart from one another, it was crucial to cast actors who could portray a deep, convincing chemistry that would make their interactions in the film feel authentic. The director emphasized the importance of creating the illusion that these characters were lifelong friends, despite their limited screen time together. He expressed complete confidence in his choices, believing wholeheartedly that he had selected the perfect actresses to embody these roles.
“The challenge was how to encourage the four actors to create a sense that they’re lifelong friends; that they’ve been best friends since birth. There was no question in my mind when I met America, Alexis, Amber, and Blake that those were the four actors for these roles.”
For those interested in reliving the heartfelt moments of The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, the film is available for rent on Prime Video. Keep an eye on Collider for the latest news and updates regarding this beloved cinematic treasure.
Source: ScreenRant
