MovieChat Forums > Tron (1982) Discussion > Who the hell chooses Bruce Boxleitner ov...

Who the hell chooses Bruce Boxleitner over Peter O'Toole?

posted 13 years ago by Iwishyouwell
23 replies | jump to latest

You're trying to tell me that Steven Lisberger's vision for Tron was a much older character, he auditions then 49 year old Peter freaking O'Toole, who by Lisberger's admission gives an amazing reading, and O'Toole is so super enthusiastic about getting the role that he says he wants "Tron" on his tombstone right next to "Lawrence of Arabia", and despite all the signs clearly lining up he rejects one of the great actors of our time to cast...

Bruce Boxleitner.

And what does Lisberger say decades later? "Who knows, maybe he would have been great, maybe I really missed it right there."

So. Much. Fail.

[–] HellboundHero 13 years ago

I take it you weren't happy with Bruce Boxleitner's performance?

[–] Iwishyouwell 13 years ago

Nope, no problem with Bruce's performance. It was passable and didn't hurt the film.

But I wrote the OP within moments of hearing Lisberger express the possibility that maybe he made a mistake not casting O'Toole in the role, and that just sparked me off. The thought of O'Toole as Tron...wow.

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[–] johnjohn7799 12 years ago

It was O'Toole who choose not to do the movie.

Apparently he read the script, got excited with it, and then went to the studio all like "where are the tanks? where are the ships?". When he learned he would act to painted boxes and such, he didn't like it and quit.

[–] Iwishyouwell 12 years ago

Yes, I know of that story. But it doesn't have anything to do with my point. I'm talking about O'Toole being passed over as Tron, which happened long before he was cast as Sark, and walked out. It's about frustration that Lisberger didn't cast him in the first place as Tron, when admitting that his original vision was for an older actor in the role.

For all we know O'Toole might have stuck with the film if he'd gotten the actual role he was hungry for.

[–] johnjohn7799 12 years ago

NOTE FOR READERS: the post above doesn't make any sense.

There is a good probability that the post below also doesn't.

[–] Iwishyouwell 12 years ago

And like clockwork, you devolve into ad hominem attack, and an attempt to be "cute", having run completely out of whatever feeble argument you were trying to establish in the first place.

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] ironjade 13 years ago

Imagine what Peter O'Toole would have made of The Joker if he'd ever been given the chance.

"Make me a baby!
Make me a star!
Leave my coffin slightly ajar!"
- Lesley Gore

[–] Humphrey_Fish 12 years ago

Man...that's a horrifying thought. He'd be a monster. Isn't the latest iteration scary enough?

Quien es mas macho?

Benedict Cumberbatch

OR

Ricardo Montalban

[–] BigRich 12 years ago

I was 12 when I first seen TRON in the theater in 82. My first time seeing Peter O'Toole was a few years later in SuperGirl. I wasn't impressed by his performance. I never seen Lawrence of Arabia and probably never will as I find most of those old 50's & 60's movies to be over-hyped, IMHO, to each their own I guess.

_
Every person that served can be called a veteran, but not every veteran can be called a Marine.

[–] Iwishyouwell 12 years ago

I have no words.

Favorite Pastime: Feeding Trolls

[–] mpaulshore 12 years ago

BigRich: I agree with you that most movies of the fifties and sixties are significantly overrated. Lawrence of Arabia isn't one of those, however. I'd strongly suggest you see it the next time there's a showing at a revival movie theater you can conveniently get to. What area do you live in, if I might ask?

[–] MitchConnor24 12 years ago

I suppose some of the output from Hollywood from the 50's and 60's could be argued as overrated; but I find most of today's releases extremely overrated especially on IMDB, by way of comparison

However obviously you're right about Lawrence of Arabia, it's a shame that a movie like that will never be made again. As for BigRich: Peter O'Toole is one of the finest actors ever you just need to watch Lawrence, Becket, The Lion in Winter to see that. Unfortunately I've seen very little of his overall work, I have too seen Supergirl, but it's hard to find an actor who hasn't had a poor performance in a film. Gary Oldman is probably the only person who comes close in that regard.

[–] nightwing60 12 years ago

Ive got nothing Against Peter O Tool. Hes a great actor. But for some reason. I just cant picture him in this movie.

[–] Star-Spawn 12 years ago

Personally, I can't see O'Toole jumping off CGI ledges and throwing a disc around.

[–] mark-cooney 12 years ago

excatly! .... them thinking of Peter O' Tool as TRON, I thought that was an IDIOT idea! The role calls for a young, athletic, all American square jawed hero! wtf? Bruce Boxleitner played the part great! He looked good in that Laser suit, too!

[–] TheSolarSailor 12 years ago

Peter O'Toole is a fine actor, but really, the role of Tron is not much of anything. How do you think he'd have brought so much to it when the role offers nothing much to work with. Tron isn't the star of the film...he is simply a program who fights for users. Jeff Bridges is the main character. O'Toole can't really bring much to a role like that. Bruce did just fine.

- - - - - - -
Whose idea was it for the word "Lisp" to have an "S" in it?

[–] Druff 12 years ago

Where does this anecdote about Lisberger rejecting O'Toole for the Tron role come from? The only version I've ever heard is that Lisberger wanted O'Toole to play Dillinger/Sark, and O'Toole tried to convince him to let him play Tron. Not the same situation as Lisberger originally considering O'Toole for the Tron role and deciding "Nah" in favor of Boxleitener.

EDIT: This old forum post details the confusion about O'Toole/Sark/Tron.
http://www.tron-sector.com/forums/default.aspx?a=top&id=353041&amp ;pg=1

[–] Prismark10 12 years ago

Lisberger thought, that O'Toole will be to old for the sequel in 30 years time!!

Its that man again!!

[–] Gwasgray 12 years ago

I think Peter O'Toole is probably a bit more expensive than Bruce Boxleitner...