Kevin Costner has been in the entertainment industry for decades now. Although he kickstarted his career with the independent film Sizzle Beach, U.S.A., many consider his film debut to be 1983’s The Touch due to issues with the former’s documentation and release.
1987’s The Untouchables and No Way Out catapulted Costner to superstar status. Soon, after the success of his movie Dances with Wolves, which won 7 out of the 12 Academy Awards it was nominated for, he chose to go against all odds to cast the late singer Whitney Houston in the 1992 romantic drama The Bodyguard. He once revealed how he faced opposition for this decision and also the reason why some found the legendary singer unfit for the role.
Kevin Costner on His Decision to Star Against Whitney Houston Being Opposed
If Kevin Costner was ruling the cinemas in the ’80s and ’90s, Whitney Houston was no lesser than him considering she was a musician on the rise when the two-time Academy Award-winning actor asked her to become his co-star for The Bodyguard. The Greatest Love of All singer was at the height of her music career but had no professional acting experience. This, however, did not deter Costner from casting her in the movie.
Unfortunately, the world had to bid farewell to Houston a little too soon. In addition to friends, family, and millions of fans, her co-workers also mourned her demise. At her funeral in 2012, Costner opened up about his fight to cast the I’m Your Baby Tonight singer in the 1992 movie. He said (via The NY Post):
“I thought she was the perfect choice, but the red flags came out immediately. Maybe I should think this over a bit! I was reminded that this would be her first acting role. We could also think about another singer, was a suggestion.”
Being the producer and lead actor, Costner had a vision for the movie, and he was able to fulfill that if the movie’s reputation as one of the best romance movies is anything to go by.
Kevin Costner Revealed the Reason Why Whitney Houston’s Casting Was Resisted
As years have passed by, the Hollywood entertainment industry has opened its arms wider for some artists, who were previously not given the same opportunities. For instance, not many people wanted to cast a Black artist in a project in the ’80s and ’90s.
By this measure, it can be said that Costner was well ahead of his generation as he did not mind casting Whitney Houston in The Bodyguard, unlike the others who resisted her casting. He mentioned how casting someone White seemed more appealing to them, saying (via The NY Post):
“Maybe somebody white? Nobody ever said it out loud, but it was a fair question. [..] I told everyone that I had taken notice that Whitney was Black. The only problem was I thought she was perfect for what we were trying to do.”
Further, the Yellowstone star said that he believed any actor could have played his role in the movie, but no one could have portrayed the heroine better than Houston.
The Bodyguard is available for streaming on Apple TV+.
