The Other Side (2011 film)

Synopsis

Max Mackenzie (Olivia Thirlby), an over-achieving science student, receives a scholarship by Marston I and Marston II (Woody Harrelson) to study fish on the remote Destiny Island. On the island she meets an array of odd citizens leading her to discover a tragedy that happened on the island years prior. She also falls in love with Sean Splinter (Giovanni Ribisi), the mayor's son.

Casting

Katie Holmes was the original choice for the lead role. She was forced to withdraw from the production of the film due to scheduling conflicts with Broadway's All My Sons. Brittany Murphy was later cast as Max, but also quit before production on the film had begun.

Other actors that were scheduled to appear in the film were Ryan Gosling, Alison Pill and Lili Taylor. After reading the screenplay, Ryan Gosling called the director, David Michaels, saying that he was so blown away by the project that he would pay the production back his acting fee if the director was not satisfied with his performance. He was scheduled to portray Marston II. Jim Broadbent was approached more than once for the role of Mayor Splinter in the film until he finally told the producers yes. He later backed out of the project.

In May 2009, actress Lindsay Lohan was approached for the role of Max Mackenzie, to which she accepted. The film was supposed to be her comeback after her starring role in the 2007 commercial failure I Know Who Killed Me and the 2009 film Labor Pains, which was released on ABC Family instead of a theatrical release. For her role, she was insured in case she proved herself to be unprofessional. David Michaels told Daily Variety, "Lindsay's very aware of people's perceptions of her. She's really committed to doing what she has to in order to change that." Lohan was expected to eat healthy and gain weight for her role in the film. Lohan stated that the project "fell threw" (sic) on her Twitter. On April 2010, it was reported that Lohan was no longer involved in the project.

Filming

The film was originally slated to be filmed in October 2009 on an island off the coast of Massachusetts. Because of concerns that Lohan wouldn't have time to film because of her negotiations with the crew of her film, Machete, production was stalled. On Twitter, in response to when filming would take place, Lohan replied that filming would take place soon. In April 2010, the company decided to begin production without Lohan.