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 in Thelma & Louise, caught the attention of director Frank Darabont during casting for The 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 after Thelma & Louise skyrocketed, 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 for The Shawshank Redemption, James Gandolfini was cast as the villainous inmate Bogs Diamond. When Gandolfini auditioned for the role of Tony Soprano in The 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 in Aliens, was then cast in the role, bringing serious intensity to the screen.
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Tom Cruise Was Gunning to Play Andy Dufresne
The notoriously hardworking Tom Cruise was eager to work again with A Few Good Men helmer Rob Reiner. To take on a challenging role like that of the wrongfully incarcerated Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption appealed 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, but The Shawshank Redemption ultimately 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.
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
