Clint Eastwood is one of the biggest Hollywood stars of his generation, but that doesn’t mean he can take on every role offered to him. The actor’s career spans seven decades, encompassing a multitude of different genres and styles, as he continually tries new things and tries to keep up with changes in the industry. The reason Eastwood’s career was filled with so many great films and lasted so many years is his ability to change his signature style on a dime, which has kept him relevant.
Another reason why Eastwood has been so successful is his ability to know exactly which roles are right for him and which could be better played by a different actor. At its peak, the actor starred in several different films each yearbut he wasn’t just accepting any script that came across his desk. Eastwood always chose his projects carefully, ensuring he was following what the audience wanted while stepping out of his comfort zone with each new role. This meant that Clint Eastwood turned down several roles that have since become iconic.
Clint Eastwood was replaced by Tommy Lee Jones in The Valley Of Elah and Men In Black
Both projects were first offered to Clint Eastwood
One of the biggest coincidences in Clint Eastwood’s career is that, on two separate occasions, the actor turned down roles that would later be played by Tommy Lee Jones. The first of these films was Men in blackwhere Eastwood was offered the role of Agent K very early in the production process. But when Eastwood hesitated to take on the project, director Barry Sonnenfeld met with Tommy Lee Jones and quickly decided he was a better fit (through Huffington Post).
The second character was In the Valley of ElahHank Deerfield, a role Eastwood politely turned down despite strongly believing in the project and using his influence to help get the film made (via electronic warfare). Fortunately, there was no bad blood between Eastwood and the film’s writer/director, Paul Haggis, who had previously worked together on the Best Picture-winning film. Million Dollar Baby.
Is Hollywood trying to say something about Tommy Lee Jones and Clint Eastwood?
Maybe the actors have more in common than meets the eye
The fact that Tommy Lee Jones ended up with two different roles first offered to Clint Eastwood could suggest that Hollywood sees certain similarities between these actors despite their very different careers. Eastwood is known for his popular Westerns, while Tommy Lee Jones is more familiar with action dramas and thrillers, but their acting style is somewhat similar. Both actors tend to lean toward more stoic, masculine heroes who aren’t afraid to mix up their morals to save the day. It’s an archetype that both actors have mastered, which is why they are often offered the same roles.