Tom Cruise and Madonna? No Way
Producer De Fina mentioned that Madonna seemed to be in the mix for the role of Henry’s wife, Karen. “There was definitely somebody somewhere wanting to cast her.” I have to ask again: can you imagine? Both Tom Cruise and Madonna as the gangster husband and wife? Thankfully, Lorraine Bracco was brought in for the role instead.
‘Made in Milan’ Film Premiere and Dinner Party, 1990. Photo By Fairchild Archive/Penske Media/Shutterstock
According to Bracco, the things that worked with Scorsese was that she was brought up in a Jewish neighborhood, which meant that she could relate to Karen Hill as a girl. “Like, I got it,” Bracco said. “She lives in a Jewish home dominated by the mother. To me, it was all rebellion.” But first things first, Scorsese wanted to see what Liotta and Bracco looked like together – if there was any chemistry.