William H. Macy has quite the record in Hollywood. He might have started out with Broadway dramas, but he would go on to star in big-ticket films like Jurassic Park 3. His story could have been very different though had it not been for one call – to sh*t scare the Coen Brothers. The father of 2 decided to go ballistic on the directors of Fargo to take an opportunity he deserved, even if he risked his all in doing so.
Fargo was the big break for William H. Macy
Fargo was important for William H. Macy
Years before starring in the third installment of Steven Spielberg’s Jurassic Park, William H. Macy was slugging it out in New York, starring in a host of Broadway and Off-Broadway plays. It would be after starring in fifty such plays that he would finally find his big break in the Coen brothers’ Fargo.
The Edmond star knew the moment he read the script that he knew that the role of Jerry Lundegaard, an executive sales manager (and a slightly villainous husband), was going to be his big break.
Also Read: “What the f—k was Coen thinking?”: Bill Murray Accepted $203M Comedy Film After Believing it Was Written by Oscar Winners Coen Brothers Only to Regret it Later
Coen Brothers were never considering William H. Macy for Fargo
The Coen Brothers were not looking to cast William H. Macy
William H. Macy got his role, impressing one and all with his performance. But the story could have been very different. There was one hiccup in him bagging the role – the Coen Brothers. The two directors were never considering the 73-year-old for a major role.
What made them reconsider were Macy’s impeccable readings. He did two readings, giving the brothers food for thought. The scales were still tipped against him. That is when the Seabiscuit star decided to go full John Wick.
Also Read: “You’ll be seeing my lawyers in the morning”: Fargo Directors Coen Brothers Landed in Deep Trouble After a Film Critic Took the Movie Way Too Literally
William H. Macy scared the Coen Brothers into casting him
William H. Macy did no one would have expected him to
When Macy heard that auditions were still being conducted in New York, he decided that enough was enough. He flew to New York, and outright scared Joel and Ethan Coen, saying,
“I’m very, very worried that you are going to screw up this movie by giving this role to somebody else. It’s my role, and I’ll shoot your dogs if you don’t give it to me.”
The Magnolia star might have been joking. But that was enough to get him his bit in the movie. And the Coens wouldn’t regret their decision.
Also Read: “How could he not?”: Iron Man Star Jeff Bridges Straight Up Rejected the Coen Brothers’ Iconic 1998 Film That Later Became the Most Famous Role of His Career
Source: IMDb
FandomWire
