Bewitched (2005 film)

Did You Know?

• Rob Morrow and Cynthia Nixon were in talks to star in an adaptation directed by Ted Bessell before his death in 1996.
• Jim Carrey was in talks to play Darrin.
• In 2021, Sony Development announced a new film based on the original series, with Terry Matalas and Travis Fickett writing the script.

Plot

Jack Wyatt, a narcissistic actor, is cast as Darrin in a remake of the sitcom Bewitched but insists an unknown play Samantha. Isabel Bigelow, an actual witch wanting a normal life, moves to Los Angeles and befriends neighbor Maria. After seeing an Ed McMahon advertisement on television, she visits a bookstore to learn about employment. Jack, having attended failed Samantha auditions, spots Isabel and persuades her to audition. Meanwhile, Isabel's intrusive father Nigel repeatedly appears to convince her to return home. Isabel impresses the show's producers and writers, and Jack convinces her to join the show alongside legendary actress Iris Smythson as Endora. After a successful pilot taping, Isabel overhears Jack and his agent Ritchie discussing how they tricked her into appearing without lines. Furious, she storms off with Maria and Nina. Isabel's Aunt Clara visits and helps cast a love spell on Jack. The hex makes Jack lovestruck, leading him to give Isabel dialogue and ask her on a date. Isabel forgets the hex but later reverses it. Jack, outraged by test scores, takes anger out on Isabel, who lashes back; Ritchie fires her. Jack chases after Isabel, accepting her comments, and their romance blossoms. Jack's estranged wife Sheila arrives to woo him back; Isabel casts a spell making her sign divorce papers and move to Iceland. Jack announces a party to celebrate.

Release

Originally planned for July 2005, Bewitched was moved to June 24, 2005. Budgeted at $85 million, it grossed $131.4 million worldwide, considered a box office dud. In the United Kingdom, it opened at #2 on August 19, 2005, behind Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave it a C+ average. The New York Times called it an unmitigated disaster, while Australian critics Margaret Pomeranz and David Stratton gave three and a half stars, praising Kidman's portrayal. Gene Shalit on the Today Show called it one of the funniest comedies in years. The film earned Kidman and Ferrell a Golden Raspberry Award for Worst Screen Combo, with additional nominations for Worst Director, Worst Actor, Worst Screenplay, and Worst Remake or Sequel.