Robert Redford once lost out on an iconic role just because he was too good-looking. Before iconic actor/director Clint Eastwood took over the project, Robert Redford was heavily considered for the lead role of Robert Kincaid in the 1995 flick, The Bridges of Madison County.
While Steven Spielberg purchased the rights to the project, Redford was being heavily considered for the role. An executive revealed to Entertainment Weekly that for the filming, they needed a rougher guy who could pull off that grisly look.
He’s such a matinee idol as opposed to a rough, earthy guy. Clint has more edge.
Naturally, Clint Eastwood stepped into the project, and when Sydney Pollack (tasked by Spielberg to direct) left, Eastwood took on double the duties and served as the lead actor and the director of the movie.
Clint Eastwood Was Always Steven Spielberg’s “First Choice”
Although Robert Redford was considered for the role for a while, Steven Spielberg had always considered Clint Eastwood his first choice for the role of Robert Kincaid for The Bridges of Madison County.
Spielberg revealed to EW that he had been friends with Eastwood since the days of Play Misty for Me. Naturally, the two had quite a bond, which Spielberg might not have had with Robert Redford.
I’ve been friends with Clint since the Play Misty for Me days in the early ’70s. I’ve always felt that Clint, in his real life, was a much drier version of Kincaid in Waller’s book. He was always my first choice.
Well, although Spielberg has his opinions, it would have been fun to see Robert Redford don a grisly role in his career. The actor had played a somewhat similar role in the 1969 film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid; it seems that the Bridges of Madison County role wasn’t meant to be his.
Robert Redford Passes Away at 89 Years of Age
News broke out today that Hollywood legend Robert Redford passed away at his house in Sundance at the age of 89. The news was publicized by his publicist, Cindi Berger.
According to the BBC, the publicist reported that he died peacefully and was surrounded by the people that he loved.
[He passed away] at Sundance in the mountains of Utah – the place he loved, surrounded by those he loved.
The actor received several tributes from directors like Ron Howard and actors like Meryl Streep. Hollywood truly lost a legend with Redford’s passing. The actor/director left a lasting mark on the face of Hollywood, one that people will try to live up to for decades.
The Bridges of Madison County is available to rent on Apple TV (USA).
