Every Wednesday on BuzzSugar, I post a Recast challenge, where I'll ask you to choose new actors for a classic TV show or movie. This week, as we consider how to fill out our Oscar ballots, I've been thinking back on some of my old Academy favorites, like The Graduate, which won for Best Director in 1968 and was nominated in six other categories.

In reality, this film actually was recast several times before director Mike Nichols settled on the actors that have made The Graduate such a beloved classic. For a little movie trivia and to see which characters to recast, read more

  • Doris Day, Ava Gardner, and Judy Garland were all considered for the part of Mrs. Robinson before the legendary Anne Bancroft was cast.
  • Jack Nicholson and Robert Redford screen tested for the part of Benjamin, but it was Dustin Hoffman's "awkwardness" that appealed to Nichols.
  • Patty Duke, Sally Field, and Candice Bergen were among the young women considered for the role of Elaine Robinson.

Now it's your turn to play casting director. If you could recast The Graduate today, who would you pick for the lead characters?

Characters to recast:
Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman)
Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft)
Elaine Robinson (Katharine Ross)

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