Movies

Why Clint Eastwood Turned Down the Role That Would Have Made History with John Wayne

BBG News

Why did Clint Eastwood refuse to collaborate with “The Duke” on “True Grit“, despite John Wayne initially proposing it? During the 1960s, Clint Eastwood revolutionized the Western genre by crafting a vision of the Old West that was morally ambiguous and lawless. His Westerns, often referred to as “Oaters”, were characterized by violence, bleakness, and anti-heroes who were not afraid to deceive, steal, or shoot from behind. However, John Wayne, known for his iconic roles in Westerns, did not appreciate the graphic violence and darkness that Eastwood incorporated into his films.

Unlike most of his Western films, John Wayne’s didn’t often include intense violence or profanity. Instead, he portrayed noble and righteous characters. Fans have always hoped to see Wayne and Eastwood collaborate in a Western, but their different approaches to the genre prevented it from happening. However, as Clint Eastwood mentioned in “Conversations with Clint: Paul Nelson’s Lost Interviews with Clint Eastwood, 1979-1983,” during one of their meetings, Wayne expressed interest, saying, “We should make a movie, kid.” I said, “That would be fantastic,” but we never managed to come up with a suitable project.

Clint Eastwood Passed On Working With John Wayne In True Grit

Clint Eastwood was approached about playing True Grit’s La Boeuf

One of Wayne’s significant late career achievements was the movie “True Grit,” where he portrayed the grizzled, alcoholic U.S. Marshal “Rooster” Cogburn. This film, released in 1969, not only became a major success but also earned Wayne his sole Academy Award for Best Actor – an honor he received for this role. He reprised the character for the 1975 sequel titled “Rooster Cogburn.” The original film demonstrated that Wayne’s more traditional Western style could still resonate with audiences, but the outcome might have been different had Clint Eastwood accepted the role of Ranger La Boeuf.

According to “Conversations with Clint,” when the producer suggested the part in “True Grit” to him, Eastwood turned it down. He wasn’t keen on the role because it was not substantial and he was already committed at the time when the film was being made. In essence, it seems that Eastwood might have been hesitant about playing a supporting role to Wayne, rather than sharing equal lead status.

It’s intriguing to think about how True Grit might have turned out if Clint Eastwood had acted alongside John Wayne, but in the end, everything happened for the best. If Eastwood had co-starred, he might have overshadowed the primary relationship in the film, which is between Wayne’s Cogburn and Kim Darby’s Mattie. Instead, country singer Glen Campbell stepped into the La Boeuf role and delivered a commendable performance.

John Wayne Later Passed On The Chance To Work With Clint Eastwood

Wayne’s dislike of a certain Clint Western killed any chance of a collaboration

It’s unclear whether Wayne took offense to Eastwood turning down True Grit, or if he was even informed that the star had been considered for the role. However, what is clear is that Wayne developed a noticeable coolness towards Eastwood’s Western films after True Grit, as Eastwood discovered when he presented a Western script to Wayne for potential collaboration. This script, penned by B-movie maestro Larry Cohen, was titled The Hostiles. In this story, a young gambler inherits an older rancher’s estate, thereby making them adversaries. However, when outlaws appear on the scene, they are compelled to join forces to save the day.

Clint Eastwood appreciated the script and considered it an opportunity for him and John Wayne to collaborate on a substantial film. However, there’s a problem: John Wayne strongly disliked The Hostiles after reading it and declined the offer. It is said that he tossed the script into the water when his son Michael tried to convince him to read it again, saying, “Another piece of garbage?” He definitively turned down the movie by writing a letter to Eastwood, in which he also criticized his 1973 Western film, High Plains Drifter. (Sources: The Clint Eastwood Archive)

As per Eastwood’s account, John Wayne disliked the depiction of Old West pioneers in the movie “High Plains Drifter.” Contrarily, Eastwood believed that Wayne failed to grasp the film’s true meaning and felt it was intended as a parable rather than an accurate portrayal of the people who shaped the nation. The collaboration between Clint Eastwood and John Wayne in “The Hostiles” marked their last potential opportunity to work together.

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2025-05-18 17:29

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