Key Takeaways:
– John Malkovich was considered for the lead role in ‘Unforgiven' before Clint Eastwood.
– The actor expressed relief at not landing the part, feeling he was not right for the role.
– ‘Unforgiven' went on to win four Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director.
– Screenwriter David Peoples feels that nobody could have portrayed William Munny as effectively as Eastwood did.
How ‘Unforgiven' Could Have Been Different
Hollywood veteran John Malkovich has always brought a unique touch to his characters, showing great versatility with each role. However, the idea of playing the lead in Clint Eastwood's 1992 Western, ‘Unforgiven' was a daunting prospect to him. Initially, the rights to the story belonged to ‘The Godfather' director Francis Ford Coppola. He had considered Malkovich for the lead role of William Munny, a decision that could have taken the iconic film in a whole different direction.
The Collapse of Coppola's Original Plan
Facing financial issues in the 1980s, Coppola found it challenging to raise funds for ‘Unforgiven' and ended up surrendering the rights. The film found a new home with Eastwood, who starred in it alongside acting greats such as Gene Hackman and Morgan Freeman. Despite the change in lead role, Malkovich stayed calm. Much to everyone's surprise, he was relieved that he didn't get the part.
Malkovich's Humble Reflection on the Near Miss
Malkovich candidly admitted that he wasn't the right fit for the role of William Munny and expressed relief at not being chosen. In his view, he would not have been able to effectively portray the character. He believed that Eastwood's portrayal was essential to the success of the film.
The Screenwriter's Perspective
Backing up Malkovich's sentiment, screenwriter David Peoples claimed that nobody could have brought out the character of Munny as effectively as Eastwood. Given the gravity that Eastwood brought to the film, it's hard to imagine it under anyone else's direction. While Peoples acknowledged that Coppola would have created an impressive movie, he firmly attested that it wouldn't have had the same impact without Eastwood leading.
Conclusion
With its refreshingly straightforward and uncompromising storytelling, ‘Unforgiven' became an instant hit and has since been hailed as one of the greatest films of all time. It won four Oscars, proving that the right people indeed were involved in this project. This story serves as a reminder that sometimes actors, like Malkovich, understand when they are not the best fit for a role. Admitting this with grace and humility is a testament to their dedication to the craft of storytelling. Despite not being a part of ‘Unforgiven,' Malkovich has continued to give stellar performances in various other projects, earning him a well-deserved place in Hollywood. ‘Unforgiven' is currently available for streaming on Prime Video.
