Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds and ‘The Proposal’ Cast 15 Years Later —‘The Chemistry and Fireworks Were There’
The cast, including the late Betty White, reflects on the making of the film
To the window, to the wall, to the time to catch up with The Proposal cast 15 years after the film first hit theaters. The swoon-worthy plot follows publishing executive Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) after she jets off to Alaska with her assistant — and fake fiance — Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds). And while the two of them might have been faking how they felt about each other, we certainly aren’t kidding about how much we love this cast. Keep scrolling to learn why.
Sandra Bullock
CHARACTER PLAYED: Margaret Tate
BEST KNOWN FOR: Speed (1994), Miss. Congeniality (2000), The Blind Side (2009), Gravity (2013), Ocean’s Eight (2018) and The Lost City (2022).
PERSONAL: Bullock was married to Jesse James from 2005 to 2010.
THOUGHTS ON THE PROPOSAL: “It was heaven. To be a b*tch for three months and be unapologetic about it? And go, “Hey it’s my character…I’m staying in character.”
FUN FACT: Julia Roberts was originally cast as Margaret, but dropped out after they cut her pay. Bullock was then cast instead.
Ryan Reynolds: ‘The Proposal’ cast
CHARACTER PLAYED: Andrew Paxton
BEST KNOWN FOR: Two Guys, a Girl and a Pizza Place (1998 to 2001), Just Friends (2005), Definitely, Maybe (2008), Green Lantern (2011), The Croods (2013), Deadpool I & II (2016/2018), Free Guy (2021), The Adam Project (2022), IF (2023) and Deadpool & Wolverine (2024).
PERSONAL: Reynolds has been married to Blake Lively since 2012, and they have four children together. Previously he was married to Scarlett Johansson.
THOUGHTS ON THE PROPOSAL: “The first time we had a rehearsal day was right before the film, and we [Reynolds and Bullock] knew within the first 10 minutes that the chemistry and fireworks were there.”
FUN FACT: Reynolds and Bullock had been friends for nine years before The Proposal.
Mary Steenburgen
CHARACTER PLAYED: Grace Paxton
BEST KNOWN FOR: Romantic Comedy (1983), Parenthood (1989), Back to the Future Part III (1990), Elf (2003), Joan of Arcadia (2003 to 2005), Four Christmases (2008), Step Brothers (2008), The Last Man on Earth (2015 to 2018) and Book Club: The Next Chapter (2023).
PERSONAL: Steenburgen has been married to Ted Danson since 1995. She was married once before that and has two children.
FUN FACT: Steenburgen and Craig T. Nelson would work together again in the film Book Club (2018).
Craig T. Nelson: ‘The Proposal’ cast
CHARACTER PLAYED: Joe Paxton
BEST KNOWN FOR: Where the Buffalo Roam (1980), Private Benjamin (1980), Poltergeist (1982), Coach (1989 to 1997), The District (2000 to 2004), The Incredibles I & II (2004/2018), Parenthood (2010 to 2015) and Young Sheldon (2019 to 2024).
PERSONAL: Nelson has been married twice and has three children.
THOUGHTS ON THE PROPOSAL: “She’s [Steenburgen] so much fun to work with. She’s got this wonderful quirkiness to her that is so beautiful. It’s also very challenging because you need to stay on top of your game with her. I look forward to continuing to work with Mary.”
FUN FACT: Nelson was 65 during filming.
Betty White
CHARACTER PLAYED: Grandma Annie
BEST KNOWN FOR: Life with Elizabeth (1953 to 1955), The Mary Tyler Moore Show (1973 to 1977), The Golden Girls (1985 to 1992), Boston Legal (2005 to 2008), Hot in Cleveland (2010 to 2015) and Toy Story 4 (2019).
PERSONAL: White was married three times over the course of her life. She died in 2021 at age 99.
THOUGHTS ON THE PROPOSAL: “I liked the romantic aspect. I liked the fact that they didn’t throw in a lot of garbage that so many other things think they have to include in that kind of thing. And I cared about whether these two people got back together. So, I got hooked on it then. And, of course, when I heard Sandra and Ryan were going to do it, that clinched it for me.”
FUN FACT: White almost said no to starring in the film because it required her to spend two and a half months away from her dog.
Malin Akerman: ‘The Proposal’ cast
CHARACTER PLAYED: Gertrude
BEST KNOWN FOR: The Comeback (2005 to 2014), 27 Dresses (2008), Couple Retreat (2009), Children’s Hospital (2010 to 2016), Rock of Ages (2012), Trophy Wife (2013 to 2014), Billions (2016 to 2019) and The Final Race (2023).
PERSONAL: Akerman has been married twice and has one child.
THOUGHTS ON THE PROPOSAL: “[Sandra and Ryan] were lovely and fun. I didn’t have that many scenes with them. I think I only worked a couple of days on that film, but I do remember having a great time. They’re both really fun and funny people, and we did have a lot of laughs but unfortunately, I didn’t get that much time with them.”
FUN FACT: Just like Bullock’s character Margaret, Akerman was also raised in Canada.
For more 2000’s rom-coms keep reading!
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Catch up With the ‘Freaky Friday’ 2003 Cast 21 Years Later
Get to Know ‘The Devil Wears Prada Cast’
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