“We needed to get somebody”: Matt Damon Reveals His Oscar-Nominated $225M Classic Didn’t Originally Have Robin Williams For a Surprising Reason

With its well-developed theme of self-discovery, healing, and relationships, Good Will Hunting is unquestionably one of the 90s classics that continues to move viewers to tears. The film, which tells the story of a troubled genius seeking self-discovery, is advanced by Robin Williams and Matt Damon’s chemistry.

The story of the movie centers on Will Hunting, a mathematical genius played by a young Matt Damon, as he deals with his traumatic past. Additionally, he is propelled toward self-discovery by an unlikely bond with Dr. Sean Maguire (played by the legendary actor, Robin Williams).

However, the behind-the-scenes story of the movie reveals an intriguing fact that perhaps not many ardent fans are aware of. The 52-year-old American actor, producer, and screenwriter did not intend to cast Robin Williams to play Sean Maguire when he wrote the part.

When Damon and Ben Affleck sat down to draft the script for Good Will Hunting, they realized they needed a famous actor to play Maguire if they wanted the movie to be a success.

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Matt Damon Reveals Good Will Hunting Didn’t Originally Have Robin Williams

It’s not simple to secure funding for a film. It was even more difficult for Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, to transform the classic Good Will Hunting into a successful film.

In a September 2021 interview with GQ, Damon disclosed how the writing partners were so eager to rewrite what eventually became Robin Williams’ role in Good Will Hunting. Why? 

Because Affleck and Damon understood they also needed an established actor to play Dr Sean Maguire as they began to draft the Good Will Hunting script. As the Air actor stated:

“Ben and I wrote it because we wanted the parts as actors. At the time, there was a really popular movie that we all loved called Reservoir Dogs. The story we had heard was that because Harvey Kietel had signed up for the movie, [director] Quintin [Tarantino] got half a million dollars.”

They believed they could secure funding if they could secure another well-known actor to star in their movie.

“So we wrote that part that Robin eventually took, we called it the Harvey Keitel part – looking for an actor that could get us some money because Ben and I wanted to star in the movie, and we knew we were worth nothing. So we needed to get somebody.” 

Fortunately, Robin Williams stepped in and gave the role his special talent, bringing Maguire to life as no one else could. The late actor, who died in 2014 would be the only artist capable of bringing his signature tenderness and humor to the role.

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Robin Williams Was Eventually Cast Thanks To Frances Ford Coppola

Finally, Robin Williams was selected to portray the now-iconic role. That didn’t happen, though, until Matt Damon starred in Frances Ford Coppola’s 1997 film, The Rainmaker. The Godfather’s director stood behind Williams, who had just finished Coppola’s Jack. 

So, they were flexible in their casting choices for the role of Sean Maguire, and thus, Ben Affleck and Damon found success. They received the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for the film that year.

Imagine how different the film might have turned out if the makers had stuck with their original plan and cast another actor instead of taking a chance on Williams.

After more than 20 years since the film’s initial release, viewers still get emotional when the late beloved actor played Dr. Sean Maguire because of his natural talent for improvisation and comedy.

Due to its distinctive blend of comedy, relationships, and self-discovery, the film has gone on to become a classic that continues to motivate and enthrall viewers all over the world.

Good Will Hunting is currently available to stream on Amazon Prime.