Tom Cruise’s incredible looks and exceptional stunt work are a big part of his massive superstardom in Hollywood. The actor has done phenomenal work across all genres and built impressive filmography with his work in several critical acclaimed projects. Cruise is one of the most electrifying, exciting stars of American cinema whose witty and clever approach to acting has served him well in the movie business. His films include good comic-ness, action-packed sequences, over-the-top stunt work, and an intriguing plot that captivate the audience’s attention until the climax.
The actor has also turned down a couple of films in his career, one of which includes the beloved 1994 American drama film The Shawshank Redemption, in which Tim Robbins gave a memorable performance as the leading character Andy Dufresne. Cruise wanted to work in the movie as the titular character over one condition only if director Rob Reiner would helm the project. Nevertheless, the film writer and director Frank Darabont turned down the lucrative offer made by Reiner to direct the movie, which led the Top Gun actor to move on from the film.
Tom Cruise Nearly Starred As Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption
Tom Cruise had big ambitions in the late 1990s! He was ruling the silver screen with his non-stop energetic performances. However, he was keen on working on Frank Darabont’s cinematic masterpiece, The Shawshank Redemption, which he wrote and directed. This film was Darabont’s debut as a director in the industry, and surprisingly, it served him well, as it made history upon its release and garnered bucketloads of cash with positive critical reviews.
According to reports, before the film director offered the lead role to actor Tim Robbins, many prominent stars were eyed for his character, including Clint Eastwood, Tom Hanks, and Kevin Costner. Nevertheless, the Mission: Impossible movie star was also interested in the project, and he even sat for table readings, but he was not sure about working with the then-new director Frank Darabont because of his lack of expertise in the field. He sticks with his proposal to only appear as Andy Dufresne in the movie if Rob Reiner would be willing to direct the film.
Rob Reiner Made a Lucrative Deal With The Film Director For Tom Cruise
Rob Reiner made a bombshell deal with The Shawshank Redemption movie director. He reportedly offered Darabont $ 3 million for the project’s rights and insisted that Tom Cruise play the lead character. However, the Mob City film director subtly rejected the offer and went on to direct the film, which earned seven Oscar nominations.
Frank Darabont told Vanity Fair that he received immense praise from all over the world for his masterwork in the titular project that also earned him the attention of film industry heavyweights. The director told the outlet,
“I swear to God, all over the world — all over the world — wherever I go, there are people who say, ‘That movie changed my life. When I met [Nelson Mandela], he talked about loving Shawshank.”
He has since gone on to direct several iconic films that have earned him top status in American cinema, making him one of the most sought-after filmmakers in Hollywood. Frank Dorabond’s 1994 directorial The Shawshank Redemption became a classic hit of all time with the likes of its star-studded cast that includes: Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler, Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows, and James Whitmore.
Source: Screen Rant
