John Malkovich is a legendary actor known for delivering numerous iconic performances throughout his career. Among his many incredible films was his 1999 comedy-drama Being John Malkovich. Though the film failed to make an impact at the box office, it later became a cult classic of its genre.
Its intriguing theme and humourous aspect were well acclaimed by the critics and audience. However, the backstory of the film might intrigue the audience more as it has a bizarre tale of Malkovich’s casting. Moreover, when Malkovich came across the script he was nothing less than startled.
The intriguing tale behind John Malkovich’s casting in his namesake film
When two geniuses like Charlie Kaufman and Spike Jonze collaborate, they create a classic film like Being John Malkovich. Despite not having an impact at the box office, the film managed to garner various accolades, including the Oscars nominations. The film featured actor John Malkovich in the titular role portraying the fictional version of himself.
When Kaufman started writing the story, he had no idea if it would be appreciated by the audience, or in the worst case, whether Malkovich would agree to portray the role or not. He began by penning down his character. Moreover, he got stuck with the title that he was reluctant to change, so in either case, it was essential to cast Malkovich in the film.
Considering his impeccable acting skills, Malkovich was a perfect fit for the role, however, this wasn’t the only reason he was cast in the film. It was his name due to which he became the first choice of the writer. According to Salon, Kaufman chose Malkovich’s name because he liked the way his name sounded.
John Malkovich was startled to read the script of Being John Malkovich
John Malkovich is known for portraying numerous villainy roles in his acting career. However, with Being John Malkovich, the actor got to prove his quirky side. The 1999 release is a surreal dark comedy that revolves around the story of an unemployed puppeteer Craig Schwartz (played by John Cusack), who discovers a mysterious door that opens inside the mind of actor John Malkovich. When the characters get to know about it, the film follows a series of events that will leave the audience intrigued.
When Malkovich came across the script, he was nothing less than startled after reading his name in the title, but when he read the script, he was even more shocked. He said (via IMDb),
“When I first looked at the script, the title seemed like a one-line joke, but it turned out to be a 100-page joke.”
The eccentric nature of the film may and working in a film, with his name in the title must have been surprising for the actor, but he undeniably excelled in the role.
Source: IMDb
