Only 16 at the time, Natalie Portman originally turned down one of the lead roles in "Anywhere But Here" because she refused to film a sex scene that required nudity. "I just wasn't ready for that," Portman told Entertainment Weekly. "I'm not one of those people who'll do anything for their art."
After Susan Sarandon threatened to quit, the film's Director Wayne Wang agreed to drop the scene from the script if Portman would reconsider taking the part. "Natalie was cast for her intelligence and strength," Sarandon explained to the publication. "I needed someone I could go at full force who could hold her own. When Natalie fell out, they talked about other people, but I told them I wouldn't do it without her."
Screenwriter Alvin Sargent, of "Ordinary People" fame, reworked the script so that the scene showed the character's love interest in underwear and only featured a passionate hug. Sarandon later praised the change. "I think it's better," she said. "Natalie's integrity actually forced the writer to be a tad more inventive."
