Burt Reynolds: 15 Facts About Characters and Roles

1. #005

   Burt Reynolds was director Miloš Forman's first choice for the lead in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975), but United Artists believed his appeal to the average moviegoer might prevent the film from drawing the critical attention they thought necessary for it to be a box-office hit. Jack Nicholson was cast instead and won his first Best Actor Oscar. Eight years later, Reynolds was writer-director James L. Brooks's first choice for the role of the amorous astronaut Garrett Breedlove in Terms of Endearment (1983). This time Reynolds accepted the project, paving the way for Nicholson to win his second Oscar, for Best Supporting Actor.

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2. #009

   Burt Reynolds was the first choice to play Garrett Breedlove in Terms of Endearment (1983). Although he liked the script, he had already agreed to star in Stroker Ace (1983), so he turned the role down. The part went to Jack Nicholson, who ultimately won the Oscar for it. Reynolds later said it was one of his most terrible mistakes.

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3. #011

   In May 2018, Burt Reynolds joined the cast of Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood (2019) in the role of George Spahn, but he died before filming his scenes. Bruce Dern was cast in his place. In the scene where Rick and Cliff watch All the Streets Are Silent (1965), the actor playing Rick Dalton in the actual TV episode was Burt Reynolds.

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4. #015

   Burt Reynolds beat out more than 300 other contenders for the role of Quint Asper on Gunsmoke (1955).

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5. #016

   One of the projects that never came together for Burt Reynolds was "Bulls Night Out" in 1999. The film was to be an old-fashioned police drama about cops on high taking justice into their own hands. It was to be directed by Reynolds himself and was to star him along with several other veteran action stars. Roy Scheider, Danny Aiello, Louis Gossett Jr. and Charles Durning were also attached. It was to be financed by a new studio called Ray Art Studios, based in Canoga Park, CA. For various reasons, the film was never made.

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6. #025

   When Francis Ford Coppola decided to make a project about the life of the famous Preston Tucker, he wanted Burt Reynolds to play Tucker. They discussed and planned the film extensively, but it was not made until 1988, by which time Jeff Bridges had the role. Reynolds only landed the role of Lewis Medlock in Deliverance (1972) after the stars originally cast in the lead (including Marlon Brando, Henry Fonda and James Stewart) turned it down upon hearing about the dangers of the Chattooga River.

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7. #026

   The character design of the Comedian/Edward Blake in Alan Moore's comic book "Watchmen" is said to have been based on Burt Reynolds. He was even considered for the role when a film adaptation of the graphic novel was being discussed.

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8. #034

   Sidney Lumet wanted Burt Reynolds for the lead role in Power (1986). Reynolds turned the role down, and Richard Gere was cast.

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9. #037

   Burt Reynolds was initially considered for the lead role in Every Which Way But Loose (1978).

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10. #038

    Burt Reynolds was offered the lead role in M*A*S*H (1970), but turned it down after being told "the other two leads would be Barbra Streisand's husband and the tall, skinny guy from The Dirty Dozen (1967)." Tom Skerritt played the role instead.

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11. #040

    In 1967, Burt Reynolds auditioned for a role in Rosemary's Baby (1968), but Roman Polanski chose John Cassavetes for the part.

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12. #048

    Burt Reynolds turned down the role Kevin Kline played opposite Sally Field in Soapdish (1991) because his then-wife Loni Anderson told him all of Hollywood would laugh at him, since Reynolds and Field had once had a very long and heavily publicized relationship.

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13. #049

    Burt Reynolds was considered for the lead role in Superman (1978), but was seen as too recognizable and not right for the character.

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14. #058

    Immediately after his artistic comeback with Boogie Nights (1997), Burt Reynolds appeared in and starred in a series of independent films. One of these projects was the comedy The Oh in Ohio (2006). Parker Posey, a Reynolds fan, personally offered him a role in the film, but his commitment to another project made it impossible for him to take the part. Danny DeVito got the role.

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15. #059

    Burt Reynolds was accepted for the lead role of John Brent in the film Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970).

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