 The studio wanted someone from the cast of  _"That 70s Show" (1998)_ (qv) for the role of Carter and had  originally given it to Ashton Kutcher (qv). Kutcher dropped out  due to creative differences, and Topher Grace (qv) auditioned and  got the part. Grace had auditioned four times for the role, and had  to convince producer Paul Weitz that he was right for the role, by  highlighting his raising by his father, a businessman with sharp  negotiation skills.