In the trivia section it says that McQueen lost this role to Garner. Does anybody out there think that this movie would have been better if McQueen got the role?
James Garner did a fine job by the way. But played the role like McQueen.
"This picture of Al Dutcher bothers me."
Jim was great in this movie. I really can't imagine anyone but him in it now. I saw an interview with him a while back where he was talking about Grand Prix. He said that Steve McQueen lived either behind him or beside him and that Steve was so angry about losing the role he would throw garbage in Jim's yard. LOL!
The Doctor never loses.
In the 'making of' documentary on the 2nd DVD, there's another version of the story. It seems more valid and substantiated with more testimonies, so I've submitted a correction on this trivia.
McQueen was Frankenheimer's first choice for the movie. However a first meeting ruined all chances, as Frankenheimer couldn't be there and McQueen was entirely at odds with his associate, producer Edward Lewis. McQueen never called them back.
It's true that Garner and McQueen were pad neighbors. McQueen was a little angry about dropping out, which meant he waited one year after the release to see the movie, apparently at his kids' request. When he came back, Garner malignly asked him what he thought of it and McQuinn dryly replied, with more than a vague hint of jealousy that it was "good, very good".
Any comedy or sci fi. Those type of movies McQueen would not be suited for.
"This picture of Al Dutcher bothers me."
I just finished watching The Great Escape followed by Grand Prix (not on the same day, though!) and I've got to say, I really liked Garner in both roles. I was never that big of a fan, and only really knew him from the Rockford Files, but I think he had a way of commanding attention without trying too hard, if you know what I mean. I think McQueen would have dominiated the movie too much.
shareActually, McQueen made several comedies and was very good in them.
share[deleted]
I'm sure McQueen would've been great in the role, but to me Garner is who I associate with single seaters and McQueen is who I associate with sports cars.
shareMcQueen got his chance in 'Le Mans'
shareSince McQueen's own production company (Solar Productions) made "LeMans", I would say he made his own chance. And I have always liked Le Mans better than Grand Prix if only because it was about racing with all the other story lines secondary. Grand Prix is about the drivers and the racing is only a part of the story, though the major one. But they are the two best racing movies ever made.
shareBetter with McQueen? Can't say for sure. More of a classic? Perhaps.
As it was in the beginning,
So shall it be in the end,
That bullsh*t is bullsh*t,
It just goes by different names.
On TCM, the host says in the intro that McQueen was offered the part but turned it down because he was developing on his own racing movie, LeMans (which wouldn't come out for several more years).
sharegrand prix is a great movie.
Le Mans is even a better documentary (thats how it should be viewed).
Although a fantastic film, Grand Prix racing footage just doesnt compare to the footage in Le Mans. Both fantastic films.
He was still shooting The Sand Pebbles
Now --- Of Course he'd of done a good job
BUT I don't think he'd have done as good a job as Garner