“I keep getting offered similar roles”: Gene Hackman Regrets His One Movie That Made Him a Star Before Clint Eastwood’s ‘Unforgiven’

There’s hardly anyone in Hollywood who would argue with Gene Hackman’s legendary stature. Appearing in absolute cinematic spectacles, including his Oscar-nominated Bonnie and Clyde, the actor turned into a legend, who later portrayed Lex Luther in 1978’s Superman.

However, despite having such a decorated career that makes everyone strive for his level of perfection, Gene Hackman mentioned regretting a particular movie, from his filmography. Surprisingly the movie even won Hackman his first Academy Award for ‘Best Actor’, but remained his biggest regret.

Also read: Wes Anderson Has Zero Regrets Working With Superman Star Despite 2-Time Oscar Winner Calling Him a ‘C**t’

Gene Hackman Regrets His 1971 Oscar Winning Movie  

Being a dedicated professional in his stagecraft, Gene Hackman has appeared in several acclaimed projects. Further, his legendary performance in Bonnie and Clyde, I Never Sang for My Father, and Mississippi Burning, turned him into a Hollywood icon.

However, nothing compares to his performance in the 1971 William Friedkin film The French Connection. Portraying the role of New York City Police Detective Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle, Hackman became the star that we know him for. The movie later led him to the Academy Awards and earned him his first Oscar for Best Actor.

But unfortunately, Gene Hackman wasn’t quite happy with it. The actor claimed, despite the initial success that he achieved due to his 1971 movie, also led him to get typecast in Hollywood. Looking back with regret, the actor mentioned during an interview with Film Comment, “Unfortunately, in film, one is cast so close to type, and I keep getting offered similar roles.”

Gene Hackman Was Grateful For Clint Eastwood’s Unforgiven

Getting typecasted into serious roles, after his appearance in The French Connection, Gene Hackman mentioned regretting the same. He later explained, how he wished to appear in more versatile roles, like that of comedy and romance. But unfortunately, because of his 1971 movie, he lost such golden opportunities.

Nonetheless, after years of performing in the entertainment industry and trying to find better opportunities, Gene Hackman eventually landed his infamous role in Clint Eastwood’s 1992 epic, Unforgiven. After exploring the comic and romantic roles, and experiencing pleasure while working on 1985’s Twice in a Lifetime, Unforgiving came as a blessing in his career.

Clint Eastwood’s 1992 movie led Hackman to bag his second Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. And certainly, without The French Connection, it’s unlikely that the actor would have won his second Oscar. Thus, while wishing things would have turned out differently for him, Gene Hackman can still count his blessings.

Watch The French Connection on Max.

Unforgiven is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.