Discover the Shocking Reason Why Steve McQueen Walked Away from an Epic Western Masterpiece

Summary

Steve McQueen's rejection of a role in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid was a huge mistake for him, considering the success of the movie and Redford's career.

McQueen's insistence on being credited as the top actor nearly cost him the opportunity to star alongside Paul Newman in The Towering Inferno. However, they managed to find a middle ground and reach a compromise.

Although he didn't secure the major role he desired, McQueen's movie career flourished, and all three actors - McQueen, Newman, and Redford - ultimately became legendary figures in Hollywood.

Steve McQueen's remarkable film career solidified his status as a 20th-century Hollywood icon. However, his petty refusal to accept a role in what would later be hailed as one of the greatest Westerns of all time may have hindered his chances of achieving even greater stardom. After his debut in projects such as Wanted Dead or Alive and Never So Few, McQueen captivated audiences throughout the 1960s and 1970s, establishing himself as a box office draw. His portrayal of anti-hero characters, coupled with his association with the counterculture movement of the 1960s, earned him the esteemed title of the "King of Cool," a label that still resonates with him today.

Despite his public persona as the "King of Cool," McQueen also had a reputation for being difficult both on and off set, particularly when it came to his film demands. Consequently, he missed out on numerous roles that would later gain widespread recognition, including a part in a Bruce Lee movie. However, among all the opportunities lost due to his pettiness, one particular role may have cost him the chance to attain legendary status in the Hollywood sphere.

Steve McQueen Rejected Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid Over Top Billing

McQueen had a successful string of movies in the 1960s, but he missed out on the opportunity to star in one of the greatest Westerns of all time: 1969's Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. It's hard to imagine the film without the iconic duo of Paul Newman and Robert Redford, but the role of The Sundance Kid was originally offered to McQueen. However, McQueen had concerns about the billing and negotiations reached an impasse.

McQueen was upset that Newman would have top billing, so he requested to be given top billing instead. He also wanted both outlaws to have an equal number of lines. The head of 20th Century Fox offered a compromise where half of the film's posters would feature Newman's name billed first, while the other half would have McQueen with top billing. Sadly, McQueen was not satisfied with this compromise and ultimately turned down the role. In hindsight, this decision proved to be a monumental mistake for McQueen, considering the massive success of the 1969 Western, the flourishing career of Redford, and the iconic partnership of Newman and Redford.

Steve McQueen Would’ve Been Great In Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid (But It Obviously Worked Out Well)

The partnership between Newman and Redford in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid is a major factor in the movie's enjoyment, but Steve McQueen's involvement would have made it equally iconic. With McQueen's reputation as an action star drawn to anti-hero roles, he would have been an excellent choice for one of the leading roles in Butch Cassidy. With a string of successful roles during the 1960s and an Oscar nomination for The Sand Pebbles, McQueen could have perfectly capped off a decade of triumphs with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

However, despite McQueen's potential success as the Sundance Kid, everything worked out for the best in the end. McQueen continued to have a highly successful film career (although it did stumble a little after this missed opportunity), while Newman and Redford delivered an instant classic. Considering the greatness of the final version of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, it's difficult to ponder what could have been, especially since all three actors have become Hollywood icons.

Steve McQueen Repeated His Billing Argument With Paul Newman On The Towering Inferno

McQueen's track record of demanding top billing continued even after losing the role of the Sundance Kid. In 1974, when he was set to star alongside Newman in the disaster movie The Towering Inferno, McQueen once again voiced his objection to sharing top billing. This raised concerns that history might repeat itself.

However, a compromise was eventually reached regarding the movie posters for The Towering Inferno. Both stars were given equal top billing by having their names placed diagonally on the poster. Depending on which side of the poster one read, either McQueen or Newman would be considered top billed. This time, McQueen learned from his past mistake and accepted the compromise. This decision not only solidified The Towering Inferno as a standout film in his career but also brought closure to the missed opportunity of working with Newman five years earlier.