Tarantino Movies Costner Almost Starred In Will SHOCK You!

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It might seem surprising to film enthusiasts that Kevin Costner and Quentin Tarantino aren’t typically thought of as a good match. Costner, both an actor and occasional director, is admired for his portrayal of heroic characters and his knack for embodying the essence of the American frontiersman. Conversely, Tarantino is a prodigious filmmaker whose passion for cinema history has transformed into a unique skill for blending genres, often reimagining low-brow entertainment into captivating (and frequently excessively violent) Oscar winners. Despite both having an affinity for stories set in the Old West, it’s worth noting that Costner nearly appeared in several of Tarantino’s films.

In a surprising twist, legendary actor Kevin Costner has passed up opportunities to work with acclaimed filmmaker Quentin Tarantino on projects like “Kill Bill” and “Django Unchained.” Despite Tarantino’s repeated attempts to cast him, Costner chose not to participate. With Tarantino planning his 10th and supposedly final movie, fans are left wondering if this long-awaited collaboration might finally come to fruition.

Did Costner Turn Down ‘Kill Bill’ Because of Its Violence?

In the early 2000s, it was my first encounter with Quentin Tarantino. The renowned filmmaker was on a quest to find an actor to embody the antagonist in his upcoming two-part film, “Kill Bill.” At that moment, Tarantino’s career was soaring, having already produced the critically acclaimed and now iconic films like “Reservoir Dogs,” “Pulp Fiction,” and “Jackie Brown” within a span of five years. His work and movies were adored by both critics and fans, but when he approached me for his next venture, I declined his offer.

It seems like there was no hard feelings between the two directors. Interestingly, Costner had expressed interest in collaborating with Tarantino. Regrettably, due to scheduling issues, Costner couldn’t accept the role for Kill Bill. After the setback of The Postman, Costner focused on directing and starring in Open Range. With his plate full, he chose to prioritize Open Range as it offered him a chance to expand his directorial skills rather than just acting in Tarantino’s film. Consequently, Costner opted to stay within the Western genre, leaving the role of Bill, which was later played by David Carradine.

When considering the two movies, it’s hard to ignore their contrasting portrayals of violence. “Kill Bill” is unrelentingly brutal, crafting a revenge story that stands alone in its intensity. Conversely, “Open Range” challenges the concept of violence in Westerns, portraying it as a last resort rather than an over-the-top narrative device, as Tarantino often does in his films. Although neither filmmaker seems to have acknowledged this ironic difference, it’s unlikely that it played a role in Costner turning down “Kill Bill.” In any case, both movies were successful, so the rejection ultimately benefited them both.

Costner Also Dropped Out of ‘Django Unchained’

Despite our paths not crossing in “Kill Bill,” Tarantino had always harbored a desire to collaborate with Costner. Nine years later, during the pre-production of “Django Unchained,” a Western reimagining that centered around an alliance between a freed slave and a bounty hunter seeking to liberate his wife, the director found himself drawn to Costner. Thankfully, this time, Costner was eager to join the project.

As a film enthusiast, I was thrilled to hear that Kevin Costner was being considered for the role of Ace Woody, a ruthless slave-fighting trainer and second-in-command to Calvin Candle (portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio) in Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming film. It seemed like Tarantino wanted Costner to step into the villain’s shoes. Rumors swirled that negotiations were underway, but unfortunately, Costner decided to back out at some point. This left Tarantino scrambling to find a replacement for Ace Woody. In the end, he combined elements of Ace Woody and other characters to create Billy Crash, a role brilliantly played by Walton Goggins.

It has been speculated that Kevin Costner rejected Quentin Tarantino for a second time due to scheduling conflicts, as well as potential discomfort with the violent nature of his role in Django Unchained. This is suggested by the fact that the character Ace Woody was intended to participate in gruesome violence, as seen in Billy Crash’s portrayal. However, it’s important to note that, according to available information, Costner’s reasons for turning down Tarantino were primarily due to scheduling issues, as he was already committed to Man of Steel and the miniseries Hatfields & McCoys at the time. Given his previous collaborations with Kevin Reynolds on projects like Fandango, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and Waterworld, it’s understandable that Costner might have chosen to prioritize working with Reynolds over Tarantino for Hatfields & McCoys.

Once more, it appears that Costner made the optimal decision. The film “Django Unchained” garnered two Academy Awards out of five nominations, while “Hatfields & McCoys” won five Emmys. This success paved the way for Costner’s later work in the modern TV Western series, “Yellowstone.

Tarantino Still Wants To Cast Costner

It’s quite intriguing to observe that Costner consistently turns down offers from Tarantino, yet the director persists in proposing roles to him. Given Tarantino’s high profile and frequent production of critically acclaimed films, one might expect him to collaborate with any actor he desired. However, it’s essential to understand that Tarantino’s deep-seated affection and nostalgia for cinema are significant driving forces behind his creative decisions, influencing all aspects of his work.

In an interview with Vanity Fair in 1994, the avid film enthusiast expressed his dream of working with actors he admired since childhood, among them being Kevin Costner, whom he had always yearned to cast in his own films. As early as 1985, Tarantino was so captivated by Costner’s small adventure film Fandango that it only played for a week in theaters, but he made it a point to watch it no less than five times. Although the movie was indeed excellent, Tarantino was primarily drawn to its lead character, aspiring to adopt his style, dialogue, and even emulate him in daily life as much as possible.

Even after all these years, the director is still eager to work with one of his favorite actors. He’s stated that he intends to create just 10 films before leaving the industry, and since two parts of “Kill Bill” are considered as one, it implies that only one chance remains for Costner to be part of a Tarantino production. As the filmmaker is currently focused on his new role as a parent and has no immediate plans to start production on his last project, this could mean they might finally find a suitable time for collaboration that fits both their schedules.

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2025-05-04 01:05