“I don’t think I can go off for that long a time”: Despite His Macho Image, Clint Eastwood Turned Down $150M War Movie Because of Grueling Process

Hollywood icon Clint Eastwood has made an enduring impact on the world of cinema. His extensive career spans acting, directing, and producing, featuring memorable performances in classics such as Dirty Harry and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, alongside critically acclaimed directorial achievements like Unforgiven and Million Dollar Baby.

Even the most illustrious acting journeys are not devoid of regrets, yet Clint Eastwood likely possesses fewer than many. Considering his extensive filmography, Eastwood has graced the screen in so many timeless classics that he may have forgotten his involvement in more gems than most actors ever get the opportunity to be a part of. However, there was a chance for him to append yet another achievement to that remarkable list.

Clint Eastwood Turned Down Francis Ford Coppola’s War Movie

While Clint Eastwood is celebrated for his numerous roles in some of the finest Westerns in cinematic history, there was also a chance for him to be a part of one of the greatest war films ever made. He declined the lead role, which was eventually portrayed by Martin Sheen, in Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now.

Eastwood told The Hollywood Reporter: 

“Coppola called me up and asked me if I wanted to do the young guy I think later played by Martin Sheen. He asked me if I wanted to play that and I said: ‘Gee, I don’t know. I don’t understand this show too much’. I did read Heart of Darkness when I was young and so I kind of knew where it was going but then I said: ‘No, I don’t think I can go off for that long a time’. He was going to go 16 weeks in the Philippines.”

Eastwood disclosed that he had conversations about the project with Steve McQueen, who was a candidate for the role of Kurtz. This role would have required only a two-week commitment. However, in the end, it was Marlon Brando who assumed the enigmatic character of Kurtz.

Clint Eastwood’s Film Inspired Ben Affleck Directorial Debut

Dennis Lehane’s novels faced a period of no adaptation interest until Clint Eastwood took the initiative, bringing Lehane’s Mystic River to the silver screen. The film proved successful at the box office, securing six Oscar nominations and clinching victories in the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor categories. Given Ben Affleck’s admiration for Lehane’s writing, the triumph of Mystic River further fueled his aspiration to adapt one of the author’s gripping thrillers. 

Affleck told ComingSoon.net:

“I was hoping to do some over the next six months. I’m adapting a Dennis Lehane novel, which nobody was all that interested in. Then ‘Mystic River’ certainly did alright and it’ll probably win best picture or whatever, so I’m excited. I think that’ll be the first thing. It’s an interesting process trying to adapt someone else’s story, but it’s like in a genre and in a place – it’s set in Boston, something I really understand and am comfortable with, so we will see.”

While the film didn’t reach the same box office heights as Mystic River, earning $34.6 million against a $19 million budget, it did earn significant acclaim from critics, a fact that Ben Affleck found difficult to ignore.

Apocalypse Now can be rented or purchased on Google Play.