Paul Newman's Unrealized Western Dream That Hollywood Rejected
The legendary actor spent years trying to bring a Western adaptation to the screen, only to watch studios turn away from his passion project that would later become a critically acclaimed film.
Paul Newman, one of Hollywood's most respected figures and a seasoned filmmaker, found himself in an unusual position during his later career - unable to secure funding for a project he desperately wanted to create. Despite his legendary status and proven track record both in front of and behind the camera, the entertainment industry showed little enthusiasm for his vision.
By the 1990s, Newman had become increasingly choosy about his roles. After appearing in The Hudsucker Proxy and Nobody's Fool in 1994 - marking the first time since 1976 he'd taken on two films in a single year - he would only complete four more live-action movies before retiring from acting entirely.
The Project That Got Away
Newman had secured the rights to adapt Glendon Swarthout's novel into a film he planned to both direct and star in. The story followed George Briggs, a dubious claim jumper who gets hired by Mary Bee Cuddy to help transport four women across treacherous terrain, leaving behind the brutal Nebraska Territory for a fresh start in Iowa.
This would have marked Newman's return to directing after more than a decade away from the filmmaker's chair, with his last directorial effort being The Glass Menagerie in 1987. The project held special significance as it would reunite him professionally with his wife, Joanne Woodward, who was set to play an important supporting character.
Industry Frustration
Speaking to Esquire in 2000, Newman expressed his disappointment with the current state of available roles. 'Lean stuff out there,' he complained. 'It's a dry, dry season.' His frustration extended beyond just the quality of scripts being offered to him - he was equally troubled by the lack of interest in the one project he truly wanted to pursue.
'I can't seem to get anybody interested,' Newman admitted when discussing his adaptation plans. 'I may have just run out of steam on it.' The rejection stung particularly because Newman had moved past taking roles simply for the sake of working, making his genuine enthusiasm for this particular story all the more meaningful.
A Different Director's Vision
Years after Newman's passing, the adaptation finally came to fruition under different leadership. Tommy Lee Jones stepped into the exact role Newman had envisioned for himself, taking on writing, directing, and starring duties. Jones assembled an impressive ensemble cast featuring Meryl Streep, Hilary Swank, John Lithgow, James Spader, Hailee Steinfeld, and Jesse Plemons.
The finished film earned positive reviews and demonstrated the story's cinematic potential. While there's no way to know how Newman's interpretation might have differed, the success of Jones's version makes Hollywood's initial rejection of Newman's proposal all the more puzzling.