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Lost chances and bad casting are commonplace in Hollywood because of the industry’s unpredictability. It’s inevitable, given how business decisions mold careers and personal connections. In one such case, two legendary actors, Tom Cruise, and Brad Pitt, simultaneously abandoned a $73 million budgeted classic film.
The project they passed on had the potential to be a risky and unique endeavor that would have dealt with crime, murder, and prison life. Instead, both actors opted for an adaptation of a Gothic novel by American author Anne Rice. Both superstars were unaware that their decisions would permanently strain their relationship with one another and alter the course of their careers.
Brad Pitt Was Supposed to Play Prisoner Tommy Williams
Brad Pitt, fresh off his breakthrough role inThelma & Louise, caught the attention of director Frank Darabont during casting forThe Shawshank Redemption, a prison drama that has become a cult classic. Pitt was eyed to play Tommy Williams, a minor but important character who was charismatic and pivotal to the plot.
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Pitt’s stardom afterThelma & Louiseskyrocketed, forcing him to make a tough choice. He opted to star with Tom Cruise in another 1994 blockbuster,Interview with the Vampire. After a frantic search, Darabont and the production team settled on Gil Bellows, who in turn gave a stellar performance.
In the original script forThe Shawshank Redemption, James Gandolfini was cast as the villainous inmate Bogs Diamond. When Gandolfini auditioned for the role of Tony Soprano inThe Sopranos, he left a lasting impression on the director, Frank Darabont.
The director saw Gandolfini in the screening and was blown away by his performance. Gandolfini bowed out of the project to focus on his role as the thug Virgil in the 1993 film,True Romance.Darabont understood the business and accepted Gandolfini’s decision, so he kept looking for the right actor. Mark Rolston, best known as Private Drake inAliens, was then cast in the role, bringing serious intensity to the screen.
Also Read:Russell Crowe Nearly Totalled His Career By Rejecting Lord Of The Rings Lead Role Due To $503M Movie
Tom Cruise Was Gunning to Play Andy Dufresne
The notoriously hardworkingTom Cruisewas eager to work again withA Few Good Menhelmer Rob Reiner. To take on a challenging role like that of the wrongfully incarcerated Andy Dufresne inThe Shawshank Redemptionappealed to Cruise’s competitive nature.
Darabont, who was trying to make a name for himself as a first-time director, rejected money to have Reiner take the helm instead. Cruise almost took the role and even attended the film’s table read.
Concerns about working with a first-time director and whether or not the character was a good fit for Cruise’s star power led to Cruise’s departure from the project. Finally, Andy Dufresne was played by Tim Robbins, who gave a performance that would define his career and win over fans worldwide.
The loss of Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise was a major blow, butThe Shawshank Redemptionultimately became a classic, much loved by audiences. Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, and the rest of the cast earned rave reviews and helped secure the film’s place in cinematic history with their outstanding performances.
Read More:“The guy who will standout more than anyone else”: Clint Eastwood Claimed Tom Cruise Will Outlast Will Smith In 100 Years After Coming Astonishingly Close for a Movie
However, audiences were still captivated by Pitt and Cruise’s talents and range in subsequent projects, so it wasn’t a total loss. Pitt emphasized his faith in fate and the significance of making different decisions to open up new possibilities.
Even though Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise’s careers have gone in different directions since they both decided to star in the homoerotic vampire thriller, their undeniable star power and talent have not failed to captivate fans.
Source:USA Today
Mabel Andrady
Senior Writer
Articles Published :694
Mabel, aka MJ, is a FandomWire Sr. Writer, pop-culture fanatic, and an MA in Health Demography holder. When she’s not indulging in her guilty pleasure of penning everything Hollywood, Marvel & DC, she writes academic essays on COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS. With 2500+ articles published online, she brings a unique twist to entertainment writing. A jack-of-all-trades, MJ enjoys movies, writes/acts in plays, writes music, and dreams of being a successful actress. She offers a fresh perspective, making her writing a must-read for those seeking knowledge and entertainment.
