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Rob Reiner Bet Against Misery’s Oscar Chances—And Kathy Bates Proved Him Wrong

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The film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel “Misery” stands alone as the only one of his works to receive an Academy Award. While movies like “The Shawshank Redemption” and “The Green Mile,” both directed by Frank Darabont, received seven and four nominations respectively, they didn’t take home any awards. In 1991, it was Kathy Bates who won the Best Actress award for her role in the film, but director Rob Reiner never expected his movie to break the trend. The reason for this skepticism? Horror films are typically not favored by the Academy.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Reiner and Bates had their encounter at the 16th TCM Classic Film Festival, where they discussed the 1990 movie that portrays writer Paul Sheldon’s terrifying ordeal: his most dedicated fan, who will go to any length to bring back her beloved character. Upon re-watching it in the screening room, Bates exclaimed, “I was shocked. My face turned pale, and I muttered, ‘Oh my goodness,'” expressing her shock at portraying the iconic antagonist. Bates wasn’t confident about her character’s lasting impact: “I felt like I was hanging off a precipice, and I could hear the saw. I thought, ‘This is the end of my career.’

By 1990, Reiner had already achieved success with another Stephen King adaptation, “Stand by Me,” which had been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay. However, this heartwarming coming-of-age drama was significantly less gruesome than “Misery.” Although Reiner believed that Bates’ performance was powerful enough to catch the Academy’s eye, he warned her that she might have missed the mark. At the event, Bates responded to Reiner by saying:

You told them, “‘You may try to campaign, but success is unlikely.’ You made this statement because it resembles the plot of a horror film.

Eventually, Bates secured both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for her portrayal of the fixated admirer, solidifying Annie Wilkes as one of Stephen King’s most memorable human antagonists. It is all thanks to Bates that we have this iconic character. Reiner commented on the actor’s audition process:

[

She seemed to read for a short while, perhaps two or three lines, and I interjected, ‘That’s sufficient, you’ve got this.’ She asked, ‘What do you imply?’, and I responded, ‘I mean, yes, you can do this, I believe in your abilities.’

Is ‘Misery’s Annie Wilkes the Best Stephen King Character of All Time?

In Stephen King’s cinematic universe, there are numerous captivating characters. For instance, Jack Torrance from “The Shining,” John Coffey from “The Green Mile,” and Carrie White, among others. However, it was Annie Wilkes who stood out as a transformative figure, embodying something more grounded and disturbingly plausible. Upon reflection, Wilkes was essentially a devoted fan, her greatest flaw being an all-consuming affection. To add to that, she also possessed the knack for handling a sledgehammer with deadly precision. Reiner acknowledges Bates’ talent in breathing life into a villain who made everyone reconsider the idea of adoring fans.

Kathy is incredibly committed as an actress; she often immersed herself in her roles off-stage too, carrying the characters with her quite frequently.

I told her, “Remember, your talent for acting is exceptional, perhaps among the best ever. So, after work, feel free to leave that character here at the studio and simply be yourself. Don’t worry about not being able to slip back into the role when you return.

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2025-05-03 15:02

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