You know that feeling when you're twelve and you'd give anything just to be "one of the grown-ups"? That's basically the soul of Penny Marshall’s 1988 classic. But if you revisit the cast of Big with Tom Hanks today, you start to realize the movie wasn't just a lucky fluke of 80s nostalgia. It was a masterclass in casting.
Honestly, the chemistry on screen feels so authentic because the actors weren't just reciting lines—they were actually playing. From the legendary piano duet to the awkwardness of a first "adult" crush, the people behind these characters made a bizarre premise feel completely real.
The Josh Baskin Dilemma: How Tom Hanks Almost Wasn't There
It’s kind of wild to imagine anyone else in the lead role. Seriously, can you picture Robert De Niro eating baby corn like a frantic squirrel?
Believe it or not, De Niro was actually signed on to play Josh Baskin first. The studio was ready to pay him $6 million, which was huge money back then. But he eventually dropped out because of scheduling conflicts (and some say the salary negotiations got messy). Before him, names like Harrison Ford, John Travolta, and even Gary Busey were tossed around.
When things fell through with De Niro, the door opened for Tom Hanks. He took the job for $2 million, which was a bargain considering he ended up snagging his first Oscar nomination for it.
The Secret Weapon: David Moscow
To make the performance work, Penny Marshall did something pretty clever. She had David Moscow, the kid playing "Young Josh," act out every single one of Adult Josh's scenes first. Tom Hanks would stand off to the side, watching Moscow’s body language, his fidgeting, and that specific way kids carry themselves.
Hanks didn't just play a "childish man." He literally mirrored a specific thirteen-year-old boy. That’s why the transition feels so seamless. When you see Hanks jumping on the bed or looking terrified in a seedy New York hotel, you're seeing David Moscow’s energy channeled through a Hollywood legend.
Susan Lawrence: More Than Just a Love Interest
Elizabeth Perkins played Susan Lawrence, and let’s be real—her role is the hardest one in the movie. She has to fall in love with a man who is, mentally, a middle-schooler. If played wrong, it’s creepy.
Perkins played it with this perfect mix of "jaded corporate ladder-climber" and "vulnerable woman finding her joy again." She later admitted that she and Hanks were actually worried the movie would flop. With so many "body swap" movies coming out at the time (like Vice Versa and 18 Again!), they genuinely thought Big might go straight to video.
Fun Fact: Elizabeth Perkins was only 26 when they filmed this. She was barely an "adult" herself, which probably helped bridge that gap between Susan’s professional world and Josh’s sandbox world.
The Supporting Cast Who Stole the Show
While Hanks is the engine, the supporting cast of Big with Tom Hanks provided the heart.
- Robert Loggia (Mr. MacMillan): He played the toy company owner. The iconic giant piano scene at FAO Schwarz? That was 100% Loggia and Hanks. They practiced on cardboard cutouts for weeks. When they showed up to film, they saw stunt doubles dressed in their clothes. Loggia reportedly told the doubles to "take a hike" because they wanted to do the whole dance themselves. It took about 57 takes to get it perfect.
- Jared Rushton (Billy): Josh’s best friend. Billy is the glue. He’s the one who navigates the "adult" world with Josh, handling the money and finding the Zoltar machine. Rushton had to dye his hair red for the role. He brought that "ride or die" energy that every kid wants in a best friend.
- John Heard (Paul): Every movie needs a foil, and Paul was the quintessential 80s corporate jerk. Most people know John Heard as the dad from Home Alone, but in Big, he was the guy we all loved to hate.
- Mercedes Ruehl (Mrs. Baskin): She’s only in a few scenes, but man, she breaks your heart. That scene where she thinks Josh is a stranger kidnapping her son? It’s the only part of the movie that feels like a thriller, and she sells the absolute terror of a grieving mother perfectly.
Why the Magic Still Works
People often talk about the "problematic" side of the romance, but they usually miss the point. The movie isn't really about a guy getting the girl. It’s about the loss of innocence.
The cast of Big with Tom Hanks succeeded because they didn't treat it like a cartoon. They treated the magic as a burden. When Josh finally decides to go back home, it’s actually a bit tragic. He’s leaving behind a career and a woman who loves him to go back to being a kid who has to do homework.
Actionable Takeaways for Movie Buffs
If you're planning a rewatch or just love 80s cinema, here are a few things to keep an eye on:
- Watch the "Shimmy Shimmy Cocoa Pop" rap: That wasn't in the original script. Tom Hanks' own son, Colin, taught him that rhyme at home, and Hanks suggested they use it in the movie to prove to Billy that Josh was still Josh.
- Look for the "Baby Corn" improv: The scene where Josh eats the corn like a cob was totally improvised by Hanks on the spot.
- Check out the Extended Edition: If you can find it, there are deleted scenes featuring Billy’s mom (played by Frances Fisher) that give more context to the neighborhood life they left behind.
The real legacy of the cast of Big with Tom Hanks is how they handled the "What if?" of childhood. Most of us spend our lives trying to grow up, only to realize later that being "big" isn't all it's cracked up to be. This cast captured that realization perfectly, making a film that feels just as relevant in 2026 as it did in 1988.
To dig deeper into the production, look for Penny Marshall’s memoir, My Mother Was Nuts. She gives a lot of behind-the-scenes details on how she fought the studio to keep the ending bittersweet rather than a traditional "happily ever after."
Next Steps for Your Rewatch:
- Search for the "Big 1988 FAO Schwarz" location (it's actually a Home Depot now, but the history is still there).
- Compare Tom Hanks' performance here to his role in Forrest Gump; you'll see he used the same technique of mimicking the younger actor's voice and movements.
- Look up David Moscow’s recent work—he’s moved mostly into producing and activism, including green housing projects in Harlem.