Kieran Culkin’s Biggest Regret Over a Role He Almost Got

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Eric Andre’s decision to turn Kieran Culkin’s Oscar-winning movie role has been a real pain.

Initially, Jesse Eisenberg was offered the part of Benji Kaplan in “A Real Pain,” but before Eric Andre Show’s comedian landed that role (which he eventually won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor), Eisenberg declined it.

Eric shared during the April 7th episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! that he had read the script. At first glance, it appeared to be a lengthy 120 pages about two individuals discussing the Holocaust, which felt somewhat somber. As a comic, he felt it was better for him to stick to his comedic roots and said, “I prefer to joke within my comfort zone.

Apart from harboring uncertainties about whether the script involving cousins Benji and David (portrayed by writer/director Jesse), who traveled to Poland to pay tribute to their deceased grandmother, suited him or his image, the 42-year-old additionally revealed that he was simultaneously engaged in another project.

However, after receiving an Oscar for his role, the star of Bad Trip confessed, “I regretfully made the biggest blunder of my whole career.

Maybe he made a hasty decision based on initial appearances since he admitted to only skimming the first few pages and then dismissing the book altogether.

He playfully commented to Jimmy Kimmel, “Isn’t it just tedious to go through a script?” He continued, “It’s agonizing. It’s like school during summer vacation. No amount of Adderall could make me read even one script.

In regards to selecting roles, he jokingly admitted, “I sign up for films,” implying that he has little idea about the plot developments beyond the initial act.

TopMob News contacted representatives for Jesse and Fruit Tree Productions seeking their comments, however, we have yet to receive a response.

Instead, let me rephrase that for you: Kieran felt a strong bond with the character, Benji, and also found a deep affinity for the script itself.

Actually, following his Academy Award win in March, he shared with journalists in the interview room that it was “the initial moment when I read something and thought, ‘I completely grasp what this person is saying.’

As a lifestyle expert, I found myself in a peculiar situation when encountering this individual’s work. A familiarity washed over me, yet I couldn’t quite pinpoint the reason. Instead of delving into an investigation, I instinctively recognized him and decided to move forward with my plans, trusting my intuition.

However, despite this, the 42-year-old individual, who has children Kinsey (age 5) and Wilder (age 3) with his wife Jazz Charton, almost abandoned the project before it began filming.

Kieran clarified that the change in our schedule, happening just before we began, is what caused me to be absent for nearly a month, not any intentional creative decision.

He reminisced, “I responded with, ‘I’d rather not,’ but eventually gave in. Looking back, I’m really thankful I did.

To see more of Kieran’s iconic roles throughout the years, keep reading.

At just 7 years old, Kieran Culkin first appeared in movies, taking on the role of Fuller, the young relative who needed rubber sheets, in the 1990 hit film where he portrayed Macaulay Culkin’s character Kevin McCallister. This movie catapulted the older Culkin brother to stardom and introduced Kieran to the public.

Kieran shared on the Late Late Show with James Corden in 2020 that he had no idea what the film was actually about while they were making it. There’s a scene in the movie where a child, thinking his head has been miscounted, says “Bye, bring me back something French!” Assuming the movie centered around this kid, Kieran thought the story revolved around him and his quest for a French item.

I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating once more with Macaulay in a hilarious 1991 comedy, where we portrayed brothers on screen. This time around, it was director Chris Columbus who helmed the project, following up his successful work on “Home Alone.” In this film, I found myself stepping into a new role under Columbus’ expert direction.

At the 1991 original film, Matty Banks, the groom’s brother, tactfully mentioned that using the word “pit” on a wedding invitation was less than ideal. Kieran made his return in the 1995 sequel, and more recently, a virtual reunion during the pandemic year of 2020 was held.

In 1993, a single mother of two found herself in dire straits, but luckily for her, action hero Jean-Claude Van Damme came to her rescue. This was because he starred in one of many musclebound-hero-rescues-damsel-in-distress films that were all the rage back then. Rosanna Arquette portrayed a widow whose farm was being threatened by ruthless contractors, while her son was named Kieran. The Muscles From Brussels, who had managed to escape from prison, stepped in to set things right.

Indeed, a sequel to “A Christmas Story” was produced in 1994, titled “Christmas Story 2”. Just like its predecessor, this family comedy was directed by Bob Clark and was based on Jean Shepherd’s stories. However, the main characters were portrayed differently; Kieran played Ralphie Parker, while Charles Grodin and Mary Steenburgen took on the roles of his parents. The storyline continued with a bully to be dealt with, albeit without the usual snowy backdrop.

The youngest member of the Culkin family, Christian, additionally appeared on screen portraying Ralphie’s little brother Randy. This is his only acting role to date.

In this touching, emotional film, it was Sharon Stone who portrayed the role of Kieran’s mother. The story revolves around two socially awkward children whose unique bond provides them with the hidden strengths essential for navigating life in their quaint community.

In the 1999 teen movie, Kieran portrayed the role of younger brother Simon opposite Rachael Leigh Cook’s character, Laney Boggs, who was initially a social outcast with the potential to become prom queen.

1999 saw Kieran team up with Tobey Maguire as a permanent resident of the “Princes of Maine” and “Kings of New England.” This orphanage-based drama, which earned Oscar accolades for John Irving’s screenplay and supporting actor Michael Caine, was also where he found himself.

2002 marked the year that Kieran received his initial Golden Globe nomination for acting in a comedy. This recognition was due to his portrayal of a wealthy New York City youngster who had to navigate complex relationships, including an institutionalized father (Bill Pullman), an alcoholic mother (Susan Sarandon), a brother reminiscent of Alex P. Keaton (Ryan Phillippe), an unrequited affection for a girl (Claire Danes), and an affair with a woman (Amanda Peet) who was the trophy mistress of his powerful real estate magnate godfather (Jeff Goldblum).

It’s a hoot, albeit a dark one.

The struggles of four friends attending a Catholic school in Savannah, Georgia during the 1970s form the heart of this 2002 dramedy, which is based on Chris Fuhrman’s novel that was loosely inspired by his own life experiences.

In 2008, Martin Scorsese served as the producer for this comedy-drama titled “Scott Pilgrim vs. Love and Family Complications.” The film centers around Rory Culkin’s character, Scott, a 15-year-old boy living in Long Island during the ’70s who is smitten with his neighbor Adrianna, portrayed by Emma Roberts. However, their relationship becomes entangled when Adrianna’s father (Timothy Hutton) is diagnosed with Lyme disease and her mother (Cynthia Nixon) embarks on an affair with Scott’s own father (Alec Baldwin). As if that wasn’t enough, their older brother Jimmy (Kieran), who already disliked their father, becomes increasingly frustrated by the family’s hypocrisy.

Kieran plays one of the few characters Michael Cera didn’t need to compete against in the 2010 cult-classic film adapted from a comic book series. However, upon closer examination, Scott’s roommate Wallace Wells exudes a strong, nonchalant-yet-endearing air reminiscent of Roman Roy, but with significantly less profanity.

In a different phrasing, Kieran portrays Paul, an easy-going classmate of Margaret, who is overly self-absorbed (Anna Paquin). Paul becomes the man she decides to lose her virginity to, all while being fixated on making amends for a bus accident she was involved in.

Interestingly enough, it turns out that J. Smith-Cameron, who captivates us as Gerri in Succession and is the subject of Roman’s complex affection, also portrayed Margaret’s mother in a lengthy film directed by her husband, Kenneth Lonergan.

Kieran’s appearance on the second season of Fargo was brief but impactful. He portrayed Rye Gerhardt, a young associate in a ruthless crime family whose death in a hit-and-run accident, which he was involved in, sets off a significant portion of the series’ events. (To be precise, Rye was hit and it was Kirsten Dunst’s character, Peggy Blumquist, who drove away with him still on her windshield.)

In the 2021 Steven Soderbergh-directed crime epic, Kieran’s associates often find themselves in precarious situations. It’s a world where survival can mean either outliving your enemies or becoming one of them, and Kieran’s role is particularly challenging.

 

Kieran has received two Critics’ Choice Awards, been nominated for two Emmys, and three Golden Globes for his exceptional portrayal as Roman Roy, the crass and calculating, yet clearly yearning for a hug, youngest son among Logan Roy’s power-playing heirs. This character is depicted in a 3D chess game-like manner.

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2025-04-08 21:50