1974 Classic, Turned Down by Jack Nicholson, Ranked Among Robert Redford's 'Greatest Screen Roles'
Jack Nicholson was producer Robert Evans and director Jack Clayton's first choice to play Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby. Nicholson turned it down, and the role eventually went to Robert Redford instead.
Redford starred opposite Mia Farrow's Daisy Buchanan in the 1974 adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel. The film follows Gatsby's obsession with reclaiming a lost love amid the excess of the Jazz Age.
Despite mixed reviews at the time, the film remained the definitive screen version of the novel for decades. It was unmatched until Baz Luhrmann's 2013 remake starring Leonardo DiCaprio.
The Guardian later ranked Redford's performance No. 8 on its list of his greatest screen roles. The outlet praised his ability to seem isolated even in the middle of Gatsby's most extravagant parties.
How Robert Redford Landed the Role Jack Nicholson Rejected
Per Robert Evans' memoir, The Kid Stays in the Picture, he bought the film rights for his then-wife, Ali MacGraw. He wanted her to play Daisy Buchanan.
The New York Post later reported that Nicholson proposed directing the film himself, with Evans playing Gatsby instead. Nicholson also reportedly had reservations about the MacGraw casting and couldn't reach a financial agreement over his salary.
Steve McQueen turned down the role as well. With several top choices unavailable, the production eventually turned to Robert Redford.
Redford had recently proven himself as a box-office draw in films like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. His star power made him a natural fit once the original plan fell through.
Casting Daisy proved just as difficult. MacGraw left Evans for McQueen partway through preproduction, forcing the studio to find a replacement. Mia Farrow was eventually cast as MacGraw's replacement.
Ultimately, Redford's performance became a defining portrayal of Gatsby, helping the film remain the most enduring adaptation of Fitzgerald's novel for decades.
source https://www.mensjournal.com/entertainment/1974-classic-turned-down-by-jack-nicholson-ranked-among-robert-redfords-greatest-screen-roles
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