WI: Burt Reynolds made better movie choices?

[phx1138]

He was #1 in the industry, pulling down over $10 mil...and went to #38 in almost nothing flat.

He turned down "Terms of Endearment" to do "Cannonball Run II".

He turned down "Magnolia".

How might his career have gone differently if he had taken "Terms of Endearment"? ("Cannonball II" goes on to be a worse bomb...)

Would he (could he) have taken roles that made other actors' careers? (I agree, he should have turned down Bond; I can't see any American in the role.)
Does "ToE" just delay his fall from #1?

 

[Giant Man Eating Rabbits]

I don't think not doing ToE was the problem, I think it's the fact that the Hal Needham series of films got in the way of Burt's main casse belli . . . . being a macho hard case.

If he did more "Sharkey's Machine" type films, even doing a war film (Bat 21, Southern Comfort, Biloxi Blues) would've helped his career instead of getting side lined into comedies. Even when starring alongside Clint Eastwood in City Heat he was still the comedic half of the pairing.

(I agree, he should have turned down Bond; I can't see any American in the role.)

Believe it or not, the first James Bond ever on screen was played by a Yank, a Mr Barry Nelson in 1954's Casino Royale!

 

[Sekhmet_D]

If Watchmen was ever filmed during the 1990s, Burt Reynolds would have made for a fantastic Comedian.

 

[phx1138]

I don't think not doing ToE was the problem, I think it's the fact that the Hal Needham series of films got in the way of Burt's main casse belli . . . . being a macho hard case.

If he did more "Sharkey's Machine" type films, even doing a war film (Bat 21, Southern Comfort, Biloxi Blues) would've helped his career instead of getting side lined into comedies. Even when starring alongside Clint Eastwood in City Heat he was still the comedic half of the pairing.

I'm not sure a good comedy would have hurt him. (I liked "W.W. & the Dixie Dancekings", myself.)

For instance, instead of Nolte in "48 Hours".

In the right role, yeah, a war movie wouldn't hurt, either. (Too young for "Bat 2-1"? I can't recall ever seeing the other two, so no comment.)

I thought "Sharkey's Machine" was about perfect for him: a trace of humor (and self-deprecating gags: "He'll do it as a favor to me".) in a serious film.

Unfortunately, the likes of "Cannonball" and "Bandit" had no real story...and he can't keep doing those in his 50s and 60s.

You almost have to undo his badass rep, in the fashion of "Unforgiven" or "Grand Torino": he's the former badass...who's still got it. ("Malone" {or was it "Stick"?} 20 yrs older?)

Believe it or not, the first James Bond ever on screen was played by a Yank, a Mr Barry Nelson in 1954's Casino Royale!

 

[ejpsan]

Burt Reynolds got hurt during the filming of "City Heat" in 1984 and got addicted to pain relievers and that caused him to lose a massive amount of weight which affected his career because of rumors of him having AIDS, which caused him to take anything with a paycheck.
Until he did the tv series Evening Shade did his career bounced somewhere back.
His only Oscar nomination came for " Boogie Nights" but he fired his agent after filming the movie, which led to his continuing reputation for being difficult and his post " Boogie Nights" choice in films reverted to him going after the paychecks.
But to answer the question, there was always something in him that choked on truly achieving the career that his talent could have taken him.

 

[edgeworthy]

It should be mentioned that in 1983 he was 47!

There is a limit to how long an actor can play the "Lovable Rogue"
(Johnny Depp has had a very similar career trajectory)

 

[Giant Man Eating Rabbits]

If Watchmen was ever filmed during the 1990s, Burt Reynolds would have made for a fantastic Comedian.

That's a good shout out, especially with that addictive laughter of his.

 

[Giant Man Eating Rabbits]

For instance, instead of Nolte in "48 Hours".

Good shout out. That would've been an good role for him and it also gets a sequel.

You almost have to undo his badass rep, in the fashion of "Unforgiven" or "Grand Torino": he's the former badass...who's still got it. ("Malone" {or was it "Stick"?} 20 yrs older?)

Tbh 'Malone' was him reverting back to his machismo bad-ass role with a good turn by Cliff Robertson as the bad guy similar to somewhat to 'Roadhouse' in respects to a ganster style hood who's controlling a town!

. . . . now if he'd got cast as Jim Dalton in 'Roadhouse' that would've been epic!

 

[THeaven]

Good shout out. That would've been an good role for him and it also gets a sequel.



Tbh 'Malone' was him reverting back to his machismo bad-ass role with a good turn by Cliff Robertson as the bad guy similar to somewhat to 'Roadhouse' in respects to a ganster style hood who's controlling a town!

. . . . now if he'd got cast as Jim Dalton in 'Roadhouse' that would've been epic!

I think he would be too old for Dalton however I could see him replacing Sam Eliot as Wade Garrett

 

[Michel Van]

He left production of ZARDOZ
John Borman took Sean Connery to play Zed

 

[Giant Man Eating Rabbits]

He left production of ZARDOZ
John Borman took Sean Connery to play Zed

Never knew that.

I thought being in in another Borman film 'Deliverance' it would've been a a good teaming.

 

[Giant Man Eating Rabbits]

I think he would be too old for Dalton however I could see him replacing Sam Eliot as Wade Garrett

Don't know if he would be too old for the role, especially if you've seen some of the bouncers around my area. They always seem to get the better of the idiots in the pubs.

And don't forget, Hollywood ie the movies is mostly the suspension of belief!

 

[phx1138]

Good shout out. That would've been an good role for him and it also gets a sequel.

TY.

Tbh 'Malone' was him reverting back to his machismo bad-ass role with a good turn by Cliff Robertson as the bad guy similar to somewhat to 'Roadhouse' in respects to a ganster style hood who's controlling a town!

Well...

With a bit more humor?

. . . . now if he'd got cast as Jim Dalton in 'Roadhouse' that would've been epic!

Instead of Swayze?

Interesting.

I would dislike it, myself, because I liked Swayze in it--especially the fight sequence at the end. (I don't see Reynolds doing it that way; a conventional fistfight would have bored me.)

I'd be more interested in him in the Sam Elliott role (tho that would sadden me a lot, good as he was {is...}--or, better still, Gazzara's as the bad guy. (I don't recall Reynolds ever playing a bad guy. It would be a cool switch.)

For The Comedian? Hmm... I found the casting of "Watchmen" so good, I'd resist tampering at all. And Reynolds doesn't strike me as big or heavy enough. (Maybe it's just an impression.)

That said, it would put an interesting spin on his career: all the badasses his played, more/less turned on their heads? It might work.

 

[Michel Van]

Never knew that.

I thought being in in another Borman film 'Deliverance' it would've been a a good teaming.

there were good team
until the costume fitting...
This Zed outfit during the movie, Sean Connery had no problem with this (ZARDOZ is dam good Sci-fi movie)

 

[Dancing Fool]

This Zed outfit during the movie, Sean Connery had no problem with this (ZARDOZ is dam good Sci-fi movie)

Great disagreements and debates is what I love about AH!

I remember watching ZARDOZ on late night TV when I was a teenager (I’m now 61). I kept expecting it to “get good” …

and it just never did!

The one part which was mildly interesting is when Connery’s character wondered whether the intelligence might be in … a diamond? I think they could have condensed the whole movie into a 10-minute intro 1st act, and built from there.

 

[Fir Street]

Cannonball! (1976) ⭐ 5.5 | Action, Comedy, Crime

1h 33m | PG

www.imdb.com

maybe if this was more successful action/comedy then it would negate Burt Reynolds in Cannon Ball Run

however this is the cannonball i know

 

[phx1138]

Cannonball! (1976) ⭐ 5.5 | Action, Comedy, Crime

1h 33m | PG

www.imdb.com

maybe if this was more successful action/comedy then it would negate Burt Reynolds in Cannon Ball Run

It seems to me if the Carradine film was more successful, it would encourage a studio to make a similar film, with a bigger star, to cash in on the untapped market.

You really need "Cannonball" to either star a nobody and barely be noticed, or star Carradine and tank completely.

At that time, I'm not sure you can prevent "Cannon Ball Run", not in an environment that's spawned "Death Race" and "Mad Max" already.

 

[Geekhis Khan]

It should be mentioned that in 1983 he was 47!

There is a limit to how long an actor can play the "Lovable Rogue"
(Johnny Depp has had a very similar career trajectory)

Or embrace the age issue. He could play Murtaugh in Lethal Weapon, possibly opposite Bruce Willis as Riggs. There was no race identified in the script. I can really see him deliver the "I'm getting too old for this shit," line. From there, maybe the Captain in Backdraft rather than De Niro or even Adcox as a villainous role, possibly the start of a shift towards playing the villain.

 

[MNM041]

Or embrace the age issue. He could play Murtaugh in Lethal Weapon, possibly opposite Bruce Willis as Riggs. There was no race identified in the script. I can really see him deliver the "I'm getting too old for this shit," line. From there, maybe the Captain in Backdraft rather than De Niro or even Adcox as a villainous role, possibly the start of a shift towards playing the villain.

Reynolds saying "I'm too old for this shit" would actually make more sense than Danny Glover.

 

[arrowiv]

Of course, Burt had his messy divorce with Loni Anderson not to mention his own personal financial problems. Those may have played a part in his latter role choices.