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Looking back at Quentin Tarantino’s 1994 crime thrillerPulp Fictionwe can all agree that the casting of John Travolta, Uma Thurman, and Bruce Willis was top-notch, alongside the impeccable storyline. But what if we say, Willis was never on Tarantino’s long list of potential actors for the role of Butch Coolidge.
According to reports, Quentin Tarantino suggested Sean Penn, Nicolas Cage, and Johnny Depp, for the iconic role. Suggesting a lengthy list of names ahead of casting, Tarantino wanted to star the above-mentioned A-listers in his crime thriller over Bruce Willis. But things worked in favor of theDie Hardstar, as he eventually appeared alongside Uma Thurman’s Mia.
Bruce Willis Wasn’t on Quentin Tarantino’s List of Actors
Landing an Academy Award for Writing following his critically acclaimed 1994 neo-noirPulp Fiction,Quentin Tarantinoturned into a renowned filmmaker. Rubbing shoulders with the likes of Steven Spielberg and James Cameron, the director catapulted his reputation in the entertainment industry.
Quentin Tarantino Owed His Hollywood Success to Bruce Willis Despite Refusing His One Wish for Pulp Fiction
While a lot of credit undoubtedly goes to Quentin Tarantino forPulp Fiction, no one can deny that themovie turned eyes due to the stellar cast. Narrating four intertwining tales of crime and violence in Los Angeles, the movie starred John Travolta, Samuel L. Jackson, Uma Thurman, andBruce Willis. Although the 1994 thriller starring the A-listers, turned into a cult classic, Thruman and Willis weren’t the first choice for their respective roles.
According to reports fromThe Digital Flix, Quentin Tarantino initially had a long list of actors ahead of casting. And quite surprisingly, neitherUma Thurmannor Bruce Willis were on the list for the role of Mia and Butch, respectively. Had Tarantino got the opportunity to work with his first choice of actors forPulp Fiction, the movie might have featured Nicolas Cage instead of Willis.
Nicolas Cage, Johnny Depp, and Sean Penn Lost to Bruce Willis
Initially, Quentin Tarantino’s list of actors started circulating onX, where it provided a fascinating insight into whom the writer-director was imagining for the lead roles. Turning out to be a sort of time capsule of early to mid-90s Hollywood actors and their star power, the list featured the likes ofNicolas Cageand a handful of other actors for different roles.
Quentin Tarantino Took Matters into His Own Hands When John Travolta Couldn’t Nail His Pulp Fiction Dance
Quite fascinatingly Tarantino’s list of actresses for the role of Mia had 16 names including Marisa Tomei, Patricia Arquette, Angela Bassett, Bridget Fonda, and Pam Grier. Much like that even the role of Butch Coolidge that went to Bruce Willis initially didn’t feature his name on the list. Instead, Tarantino wanted Sean Penn, Nicolas Cage, Aidan Quinn, orJohnny Depptoportray the character.
Given each of the abovementioned actors’ acting skills, they would have certainly been perfect casting for the role. But watching Nicolas Cage in a Tarantino movie would definitely be something to behold. Ultimately, despite being on the list and probably being the director’s top choice, the A-listers lost the opportunity to star inPulp Fiction. Eventually Butch went to Bruce Willis and Mia went to Uma Thurman, who later collaborated with Tarantino in theKill Billmovies.
Pulp Fictionis available on Prime Video.
Krittika Mukherjee
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3216
Krittika Mukherjee is a Senior Entertainment Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on films, TV shows, and celebrity news with over 3,000 articles published. With an educational background in Journalism, and a keen interest in filmmaking, Krittika blends factual precision with creative flair, when crafting her editorials, or dissecting fan theories.Her coverage often includes news and analyses of critically acclaimed films, celebrity news, and franchises like the Wizarding World, LOTR, DC, and MCU—particularly Harry Potter, Fantastic Beasts, Superheroes, and fan theories. As a Wizarding World aficionado, Krittika has spent countless hours exploring hidden backstories, unadapted book moments, spells, and trivias surrounding J.K. Rowling’s lore.An imaginative writer with a way with words, Krittika has worked as an entertainment journalist for the past two years and a web content writer for a year. She brought her experience and expertise to FandomWire to pursue her desire for sipping coffee while dissecting films and tracking celebrity drama.
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Bruce WillisJohnny DeppNicolas CageQuentin TarantinoUma Thurman
