 <unk> had Spacey and <unk> in mind for the leads from the beginning , but DreamWorks executives were <unk> . The studio suggested several <unk> , including Bruce Willis , Kevin <unk> , or John <unk> to play Lester , and Helen Hunt or Holly Hunter to play Carolyn . <unk> did not want a big star " weighing the film down " ; he felt Spacey was the right choice based on his performances in the 1995 films The <unk> <unk> and Seven , and 1992 's <unk> Glen Ross . Spacey was surprised ; he said , " I usually play characters who are very quick , very <unk> and smart . [ ... ] I usually <unk> in dark , sort of <unk> waters . This is a man living one step at a time , playing by his instincts . This is actually much closer to me , to what I am , than those other parts . " <unk> offered <unk> the role of Carolyn without the studio 's consent ; although executives were upset at <unk> , by September 1998 , DreamWorks had entered negotiations with Spacey and <unk> . 
