Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Tom Cruise is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, with the actor working with some of the most acclaimed filmmakers, especially during the earlier stages of his career. As a result, Cruise appeared in some truly unique films. One of these was helmed by the legendary Stanley Kubrick and emerged as the most explicit movie in Cruise’s career.
However, Cruise wasn’t the first choice for the lead role in Kubrick’s 1999 filmEyes Wide Shut. Instead, Woody Allen and Tom Hanks were the favored choices among Kubrick’s wishlist of potential leading men for what turned out to be his final film as a director. Here is everything you need to know about the original choice forEyes Wide Shut.
Woody Allen Almost Cast Instead of Tom Cruise inEyes Wide Shut
Eyes Wide Shutwas released in 1999 and starsTom Cruiseand his then-wife Nicole Kidman in the lead roles. It follows Cruise’s Dr. Bill Harford who embarks on a night-long adventure after learning that his wife contemplated having an affair.
For the lead role, directorStanley Kubrickhad originally considered casting an actor with a bit more comedic flair. According to David Mikics’ biographyStanley Kubrick: American Filmmaker, the director first envisioned the project in the early 70s and even drew up a wishlist of potential lead actors.
The most intriguing name in the filmmaker’s shortlist wasWoody Allen. While Allen is primarily known for his directorial and screenwriting career, he has also acted in numerous films. Allen also dabbled in standup comedy during the 1960s, making him an ideal pick.
He cast an actor without a comic bone in his body, the earnest, highly deliberate Tom Cruise.
Mikics made the above comment (viaIndieWire) about Cruise’s casting in the movie, adding that comedy would have served as a defense mechanism for the main character but Kubrick ultimately made him defenseless.
“Because one person could feel ganged up on”: Stanley Kubrick Was Worried About Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman’s Love Story in Eyes Wide Shut
Thus, Micks explained why Cruise, an actor with no comedic bone was cast in the movie. Kubrick’s list also included names such as Steve Martin, Dustin Hoffman, Warren Beatty, Alan Alda, Albert Brooks, Bill Murray, Tom Hanks, and Sam Shepard.
Tom Cruise Talked About ReleasingEyes Wide ShutAfter Stanley Kubrick’s Death
Despite having the project in his mind for almost two decades, Kubrick did not live to see it released as he passed away in March 1999, a few months beforeEyes Wide Shuthit theaters.
During an interview, Cruise opened up about working with Kubrick and spoke about seeing the project through without the filmmaker who was deeply involved with it since its inception. Cruise said the following (viaRogerEbert.com):
Stanley had worked on this and thought about it for about 28 years.
Cruise admitted that given Kubrick’s stature, he certainly felt pressure to see off the project after the director’s passing.
“I was going to call him on his last night alive and I didn’t”: Nicole Kidman Had One Regret After Stanley Kubrick’s Death
At the same time, Cruise also stated thatthe film’s explicit and NSFW materialhad him nervous. However, Cruise recalled that Kubrick wasn’t bothered by all the noise surrounding the project because of its explicit nature and noted that the project was extremely personal for the director.
Eyes Wide Shutis streaming on Paramount+.
Pratik Handore
Content Writer
Articles Published :1774
With a keen interest in comic book movies and blockbuster franchises, Pratik usually covers news and updates on the DCU, MCU, Star Wars, and more.A die-hard fan of George Lucas and Steven Spielberg, Pratik spends most of his time exploring different storytelling mediums that invoke a sense of wonder and adventure. Other filmmakers whose works have deeply influenced him include Alfred Hitchcock, James Gunn, and Guillermo del Toro.
