Owen Wilson Names Dream Directors He's Dying to Work With
The beloved actor reveals which filmmaking duo tops his collaboration wishlist, despite facing harsh criticism from another famous director who can't stand him.
Recent events have made it crystal clear that Owen Wilson won't be getting a call for Quentin Tarantino's upcoming tenth and final movie. The legendary filmmaker has been brutally honest about his feelings toward the actor, stating he "really can't stand" Wilson - despite praising Midnight in Paris as one of his favorite films of the 21st century. It's a bizarre contradiction that Wilson earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical for a movie that Tarantino loves, yet the director still can't tolerate him on screen.
This isn't Tarantino's first unprovoked criticism of an actor, and it certainly won't be his last. But does Wilson actually care about this harsh judgment? Probably not, considering he's spent three decades building relationships with some of Hollywood's most respected filmmakers.
A Career Built on Auteur Collaborations
Wilson has worked alongside an impressive roster of directors throughout his career. Beyond his famous partnership with Wes Anderson that began with Bottle Rocket, he's appeared in films by James L. Brooks, Michael Bay, and Paul Thomas Anderson. His co-stars have ranged from comedy legends like Eddie Murphy to dramatic powerhouses like Gene Hackman and Jon Voight.
The actor has proven his versatility across genres, from his recurring role in Marvel's cinematic universe to dramatic turns and even that memorable scene in No Escape where he threw a baby off a rooftop. His range extends far beyond the quirky characters many associate with his Anderson collaborations.
The Directors on His Wishlist
When Screen Crush asked Wilson about directors he's eager to work with, his answer was immediate and specific. "I love the Coen brothers," Wilson said. "I guess that would be the one. They're great."
It's easy to imagine Wilson fitting into the Coen brothers' distinctive style and their gallery of eccentric characters. The challenge, however, is that Joel and Ethan Coen have been pursuing separate projects lately, with their rumored reunion still just speculation among fans and industry insiders.
The Coens have their own stable of regular actors who appear across multiple films, but there's always potential for new faces. Wilson's enthusiasm for working with the Academy Award-winning siblings is obvious, but the real question remains whether they share his interest. If they did, one might assume they would have already found a role for him in their extensive filmography.
Should the brothers decide to reunite and start fresh with new casting choices, Wilson could be an intriguing addition to their unique cinematic world.