There are some actors who have become synonymous with the long-standing roles they’ve played, both in television and in movies. For Vin Diesel, the first movie(s) most people think of when they hear his name is typically one of the Fast and Furious franchise flicks.
He has starred in the role of Dom Toretto across eight films, which is pretty rare for any actor. He has lived that character since 2001, and the films have been among the biggest hits of his career, though he has several more franchises under his belt.
Still, the role was almost someone else’s, and as Hollywood tends to shuffle through the actors they want, and who’s available, it makes sense. But the first choice is kind of a surprising one.
Timothy Olyphant had appeared in several hit movies in the 90s, and was a rising star with a busy acting schedule when he was asked to star in The Fast and the Furious.
He turned it down to take on other projects, and has gone on to star in many TV and film roles, but does he ever regret not taking the part that has gone on to produce paycheck after paycheck for Diesel?
When asked just that by The Hollywood Reporter, Olyphant replied:
“The pitfall here is that it’s very hard to answer that question without feeling like I’m offending somebody. So, if I start saying, ‘No, it’s never occurred to me,’ or ‘No, I’ve never seen those movies,’ it just starts to sound like … ugh, let’s say I didn’t ever say that. I love those movies. I’m thrilled that they worked for everybody involved.”
Well that was very diplomatic of him. It sounds like he’s pointing to not feeling like he missed much, but insists he “loves” those movies. I’m sure he is glad for the outcome, and for the success the actors involved have had.
He’s had his own success, and it’s actually kind of weird to think of anyone but Diesel playing the part. It certainly seems to have all worked out for the best.