With a career spanning four decades, these Michael Madsen movie roles have ranged across crime thrillers, westerns, and even family films. In Hollywood, few actors have a resumé quite like Madsen. With over 330 roles to his credit, Madsen took on roles from indies to big-budget studio films. From his unforgettable performance as Mr. Blonde in Quentin Tarantino’s Reservoir Dogs to playing Joe Gage in The Hateful Eight, Madsen remains one of cinema’s underrated actors, even in death.
Yet, with over 300 films in his filmography, Michael Madsen still turned down a few roles throughout his career. While he was reportedly considered for a role in Tarantino’s Inglourious Basterds (2009), Madsen was turned down for roles in Natural Born Killers (1994) and L.A. Confidential (1997). Having been typecast for playing tough roles, the studio needed an actor with a less intimidating persona. However, here’s a look at the top five roles Michael Madsen turned down for several reasons.
Perfect Tommy in The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension (1984)
One of the most fascinating Michael Madsen movie roles that never was is that of Perfect Tommy in the 1984 cult classic The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension. Madsen was reportedly considered for the role early in the casting process but ultimately passed on the opportunity. The role went to Lewis Smith, who brought an eccentric charm to the flamboyant, bleach-blond member of Dr. Buckaroo Banzai’s (Peter Weller) team.
Michael Madsen turned down the role due to scheduling conflicts with the sports drama The Natural, where he played Bartholomew “Bump” Bailey. Still, imagining Michael Madsen as Perfect Tommy opens the door to a wildly different version of the film. Audiences may have seen a Perfect Tommy with a more dangerous or intense tone.
Harlan in Thelma & Louise (1991)
Michael Madsen was first approached to play Harlan Puckett in Ridley Scott’s 1991 Oscar-nominated crime thriller Thelma & Louise. Harlan is the man who attempts to rape Geena Davis’ Thelma Dickinson character. Not one to promote violence, Madsen rejected the role and asked the director to play another character.
Madsen preferred to play Jimmy Lennox, the well-meaning boyfriend of Susan Sarandon’s Louise Sawyer character. Although director Scott initially didn’t think he could pull it off, he reportedly landed after having lunch with Susan Sarandon. Although not a pivotal character in the film like Harlan, Madsen was more satisfied playing Jimmy than a rapist. Ultimately, he still starred in the film, but not in a role that was initially offered.
Vincent Vega in Pulp Fiction (1994)
One of the most legendary roles Michael Madsen turned down was that of Vincent Vega in Quentin Tarantino’s sophomore directorial project Pulp Fiction. Vincent Vega, ultimately played by John Travolta, became a career-reviving performance for the actor, earning him an Oscar nomination. Tarantino originally wrote the role with Madsen in mind, hoping to tie it into Reservoir Dogs by making Vincent the brother of Vic Vega (Mr. Blonde).
Unfortunately, Michael Madsen had a scheduling conflict with Lawrence Kasdan’s epic biographical Western drama Wyatt Earp. Madsen passed on Pulp Fiction to portray American lawman Virgil Earp. Michael Madsen once revealed it was the worst mistake of his career. Besides being a critical and commercial failure, Wyatt Earp didn’t remotely have the same cultural impact as Pulp Fiction.
Seth Gecko in From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
One of the most surprising Michael Madsen movie roles that never materialized was portraying Seth Gecko in the 1996 action-horror film From Dusk Till Dawn. Interestingly, the part eventually went to George Clooney, helping to launch his film career. Although often regarded as a character actor, having Clooney (who later became one of Hollywood’s leading men) as a replacement for Madsen further proves the latter’s underrated status in the industry.
As a frequent collaborator of Quentin Tarantino, Madsen was among the first actors considered for the role. Tarantino not only wrote the screenplay, but the film also starred another frequent collaborator of Tarantino’s, as well as Madsen’s close friend, Harvey Keitel. As much as Madsen was enthusiastic about playing Seth Gecko, he was forced to turn it down due to a scheduling conflict with another film. In hindsight, From Dusk Till Dawn became a cult classic and was a commercial hit.
Danny McKnight in Black Hawk Down (2001)
Another surprising role Michael Madsen turned down was that of Lieutenant Colonel Danny McKnight in 2001. Madsen passed on another opportunity to work with Ridley Scott in his Oscar-winning war film Black Hawk Down. Madsen was approached to play the no-nonsense, Battle-hardened officer LTC McKnight, based on the real-life commander.
The role ultimately went to Tom Sizemore, who delivered a memorable performance. Turning down the part cost Madsen a place in one of the most respected war films of the early 2000s. Madsen had to turn down Black Hawk Down because of a scheduling conflict with the short-lived CBS crime drama series Big Apple. As such, it remained one of the most regretted Michael Madsen movie roles ever turned down.
