How Don Johnson’s Big Pass Launched Kevin Costner Into Hollywood Stardom with Spielberg’s Help

Prior to becoming a household name, Kevin Costner earned his major acting debut in 1987, a role initially offered to Don Johnson who declined it. Now, it seems challenging to recall a period when Kevin Costner wasn’t among the top stars in Hollywood. Throughout his career spanning decades, Costner has graced us with some of the finest Western movies, powerful dramas, and unforgettable sports films. Remarkably, he has achieved superstar status, a position attained by many, but obtained through a pivotal role that almost slipped away from him. In contrast to other actors, Costner came close to missing out on his breakthrough movie’s cast.

Initially, the part that catapulted Kevin Costner to stardom was initially given to Don Johnson, but this decision led to a mix of outcomes. Interestingly, only nine years later, these two actors shared the screen for the first and only time in the golf comedy “Tin Cup.” In this film, Costner played the leading role and love interest, while Johnson assumed the antagonist’s role as the main character. Had Don Johnson not declined his opportunity to be in “The Untouchables,” it’s possible that the roles might have been reversed.

Brian De Palma Wanted To Cast Don Johnson In The Untouchables

De Palma Wanted Johnson To Play Eliot Ness Because Of His Miami Vice Fame

In 1987, Brian De Palma’s historical crime film titled “The Untouchables” significantly boosted Kevin Costner’s acting career. Interestingly, De Palma initially had different plans for the lead role of Eliot Ness. As mentioned in a documentary about his career, De Palma originally intended to cast Don Johnson instead of Costner (as reported by Entertainment Weekly). At that time, Johnson was a household name due to his continuous portrayal of Sonny Crockett in “Miami Vice.” Johnson had already demonstrated his ability to headline a large-scale crime drama and draw audiences, whereas Costner was still relatively unknown, having only played supporting roles in films like “Silverado.

Despite Don Johnson’s refusal, he found the character Eliot Ness from The Untouchables too similar to Sonny Crockett in Miami Vice, fearing it might lead to typecasting. Art Linson, one of the film’s producers, had already believed Costner was perfect for the role. With Johnson declining the offer, De Palma contacted Steven Spielberg and Lawrence Kasdan – both having worked with Costner previously – who successfully convinced De Palma that Costner possessed the talent to lead The Untouchables on his own.

The Untouchables Turned Kevin Costner Into A True Movie Star

Costner Became Hollywood’s Biggest Leading Man In The Late 1980s & 1990s

Before 1987, Kevin Costner primarily took on supporting roles in lesser-known films and made guest appearances in shows like “Amazing Stories” and “The Big Chill”. However, his breakthrough came with the release of “The Untouchables”, which significantly boosted his career. Prior to this, he was also featured in the moderately successful bike movie “American Flyers”. Interestingly, in “The Big Chill”, Costner’s character was originally meant to have several flashback scenes, but he only appeared briefly as a deceased character. The release of “The Untouchables” marked a turning point in Costner’s acting career.

Following “The Untouchables,” Kevin Costner became the most sought-after actor in Hollywood. Over the next two years, he starred in two of the greatest baseball films ever produced: “Bull Durham” and “Field of Dreams.” A year later, he appeared in what could be considered his masterpiece, “Dances with Wolves.” From that point on, it was smooth sailing. Essentially, Costner continued to lead box office hits throughout the 1990s, appearing in films such as “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” “JFK,” “A Perfect World,” and many more. Once “The Untouchables” showcased Kevin Costner’s magnetic and charming persona, his acting career skyrocketed.

The Untouchables Is Still One Of Kevin Costner’s Greatest Movies

The Untouchables Is An All-Time Great Crime Movie & One Of Costner’s Best Ensemble Performances

The Untouchables, though it launched Kevin Costner’s acting career to new heights, has never been overshadowed. In truth, The Untouchables remains one of Costner’s finest performances, even with the passage of nearly four decades and more than 50 additional films. Every aspect of it is exceptional. The ensemble cast of The Untouchables, featuring Sean Connery, Robert De Niro, Andy Garcia, Patricia Clarkson, among others, was outstanding. De Palma’s direction was masterful, and the film is filled with visually captivating and intellectually stimulating scenes. Furthermore, it’s a compelling tale of a real-life police force that managed to bring down the world’s most notorious gangster.

The movie “The Untouchables” was not only exceptional by itself, but Kevin Costner delivered an outstanding performance within it. He nailed countless impressive line deliveries, from “He’s in the car,” to “Never stop fighting til the fight is done!”. It was also wise of De Palma to be concerned, as the Eliot Ness character forms the backbone of The Untouchables. However, Costner was exceptionally fitting for the role. All the emotional high points, the coolest scenes, and the reason the film was created were carried by Kevin Costner in “The Untouchables”, and he never wavered under the pressure.

2025-05-01 02:00

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