MovieChat Forums > Air Force One (1997) Discussion > Kevin Costner as the President?

Kevin Costner as the President?

posted 5 years ago by merkin64 (122)
3 replies | jump to latest

I saw this on TV the other day. Still a great action movie.

I had forgotten that the role of James Marshall was originally offered to Kevin Costner. He turned it down and suggested that it was more suited for Harrison Ford. I can easily picture Costner in the role as the President. The Untouchables, Dances with Wolves, Robin Hood and Revenge proved that Costner could play a heroic lead.

By 1997, he was in need of a huge hit after Waterworld and this would have cemented him as a certified A list leading man. Instead, he made The Postman which was a flop and accelerated his descent from that magic circle that very few actors get to enter. From 2000 onwards, he was still a big star, but you could see his status changing from star to supporting actor.

I am tempted to think of that scene in Once upon a time in Hollywood when we see Rick Dalton in the the Steve McQueen role in The Great Escape. What might have been.

[–] huwdj (4567) 5 years ago

Despite everything Waterworld worked and made money. Perhaps it would have been better if it hadn't if that meant The Postman was never made?
But it's funny how quickly an a star can appear to fall out of fashion.

[–] merkin64 (122) 5 years ago

Open Range and Hidden Figures show that Costner has still got it. Maybe he needs a good western role.

[–] huwdj (4567) 5 years ago

Maybe. It would be interesting if they put the Silverado cast back together with a good script - always liked that film.