As Oliver Stone’s 1986 war drama Platoon captured the moral and political confusion of the Vietnam War in harrowing detail, the movie consistently got praised for its strong cast. But surprisingly, the 1986 drama almost came up with a totally different cast, featuring Kevin Costner.
However, the actor purposefully turned down the 1986 project that launched Johnny Depp’s career, for a noble cause. Thus, the role that Kevin Costner read for, eventually went to Tom Berenger. But years later, Costner revealed his regret for rejecting the $138M Academy Award-winning movie.
Kevin Costner Turned Down The 1986 War Drama Platoon
Oliver Stone’s 1986 film Platoon portrayed the harrowing details of the Vietnam War. The movie focused on how American soldiers fought and died in the jungles of Vietnam while dealing with the horrors of warfare and the immorality of world politics. Nonetheless, the director himself being a war veteran, wanted to portray the honest brutality of warfare.
Without shying away from portraying authenticity, Oliver Stone thus turned his 1986 movie into a semi-autobiography. Thereafter, willing to feature a stellar cast, the director initially approached Kevin Costner to play the role of Staff Sergeant Barnes, who was later played by Tom Berenger. However, Costner purposefully turned down the project with the fear of offending war veterans, like his own brother. Stone told Entertainment Weekly:
“Costner passed on it, I believe, because his brother had been in Vietnam.”
Later on, Platoon became a widely acclaimed movie featuring Willem Dafoe, Charlie Sheen, Johnny Depp, Tom Berenger, and more. The 1986 film even won several Oscars and turned out to be a breakthrough opportunity for Depp. Launching the Pirates of the Caribbean actor’s career, Platoon turned into a cinematic spectacle.
Kevin Costner Regrets Rejecting The Oscar-Winning Role
Years later, after Oliver Stone’s 1986 war drama Platoon became a renowned film with several Oscars, Kevin Costner reflected upon his decision to reject the movie. Although the actor purposefully turned down the offer for a noble cause, Costner admitted feeling regretful.
According to IMDb, Kevin Costner was offered the notable role of Staff Sergeant Barnes but the actor ended up rejecting the project for his brother. Unwilling to offend war veterans like his own brother, Costner ended up losing an Oscar-winning opportunity. Thereafter, the actor simply lived to regret it.
“The one role that I regret refusing. My brother Dan was a Marine in Vietnam and had a problem with Vietnam movies that show vets as wigged-out guys. He’s very proud that he came back, went to college, and has a family. In fact, Platoon was real and right. But my consciousness was with my brother.”
Nonetheless, despite rejecting Platoon, Kevin Costner appeared in several other acclaimed projects and built his career. But certainly, Oliver Stone’s 1986 war drama was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Costner.
Watch Platoon on Max.
Source: Entertainment Weekly, IMDb
