Christina Applegate says initial Anchorman offer was 'offensive'

"When they came in with the initial offer, it was, you know, a little... offensive. And I said I can't. I know my worth, and I can't do that. They wanted me bad enough, and they said, 'Well, we're gonna chip in'. And thank god they did because it was one of the best experiences of my entire life."

"I had never done improv before, and learning from that group of dudes - that is the masterclass that people paid for. Steve Carell taught it, and Adam McKay developed an entire new way of doing it with his group. So to get in there and have that happen was just absolutely magical, and it's been invaluable to me and my career."

Christina Applegate turned down the initial offer for Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy because she felt it was insufficient. Recognizing her worth, she declined the role until Will Ferrell and Adam McKay agreed to contribute portions of their own salaries to ensure she received appropriate compensation. Applegate described the experience as one of the best of her life, particularly praising the improvisational training she received from the cast and McKay's innovative directing approach. She credited Steve Carell and McKay with teaching her masterclass-level improv techniques that proved invaluable to her career. Applegate returned for the 2013 sequel and has since detailed this experience in her memoir.

Read at The Independent