Star Wars with Kurt Russell

Kurt Russell began his career as a child actor. In 1963, in one of his first roles, he kicked Elvis Presley's character in the shin in the film "It Happened at the World's Fair." Later, Russell would be one of a few who successfully made the transition from being a child actor to an adult actor. Now a leading man and bankable star, what if George Lucas had gone a different way during casting in 1976. We might have gotten this:

"Who's scruffy looking?"

The Set-Up

During the same casting session which saw Carrie Fisher read for both Princess Leia and Carrie the film of the same name; Kurt Russell read for the part of Han Solo. Had he been cast as the loveable rogue, things would have been quite different. 

The Execution

Harrison Ford did an excellent job as Han Solo. He made the character three dimensional and added depth which Kurt Russell may not have been able to bring to the role at that age. While he managed to imbue a similar vibe to Jack Burton, he was also 36 at the time, as opposed to 25 when he auditioned for Star Wars. Regardless, it's difficult to picture anyone else except Harrison Ford playing Han Solo.

"Hokey religions and ancient weapons are no match for a good blaster at your side, kid.”

What might have been

However, if Russell is cast, then Star Wars probably launches him to stardom and he does not act in any of the John Carpenter films which would cement his legacy later. Instead, we have:

"You are the Duke; A Number 1"

hold the fort and keep the home fires burning. And if we’re not back by dawn… call the president.

Predator with Jean-Claude Van Damme

"You're an asset; an expendable asset."

Initially entitled "Hunter," Predator began after being influenced by a joke circulating through Hollywood, that after Rocky 4 was released, the only opponent left for Rocky to fight would be an alien.

The Set-Up

Jean-Claude Van Damme was originally cast as the predator; the thought being the producers could capitalize on his martial arts ability. However, due to a myriad of reasons, Van Damme was replaced with Kevin Peter Hall, and the look of the Predator was retooled. They added mandibles after director James Cameron suggested to special effects artist Stan Winston that he'd never seen a creature with mandibles. 

                

Van Damme as The Hunter

The Execution

Over the years, Predator has been a defining genre film. It's also started a franchise of its own and been part of a crossover series. Considered one of Arnold Schwarzenegger's best films, and the film which established director John McTiernan, who would release Die Hard the following year. 

What might have been

Van Damme stays with the predator and as a result, does not become a bona fide action star. Instead of beginning his career with the holy triumvirate of Bloodsport, Kickboxer, and Cyborg...

Soapbox opportunity

Van Damme or Seagal?

The key difference between the two has to do with whether the model of the hero’s journey model resonates with you. Examples of films that follow the hero’s journey: the Star Wars trilogy, the Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Matrix, and any Disney movie during Jeffrey Katzenberg’s tenure as the CEO. In almost all of his films, Van Damme, who follows The Hero's Journey model begins as a novice who trains with a seasoned veteran to become more efficient and accomplish his goals. In all of his movies, Seagal starts out as an already unstoppable bone-breaking machine. In Seagal’s movies, it’s the spectacle and exhibition which are enthralling; with Van Damme, it’s the catharsis and empathetic response. I will forever be a Van Damme guy, but this is not to say if any of Seagal’s films from ’88–’97 are on TV, I won’t watch from beginning to end, quoting gems like “Lady cops need boyfriends, too,” “Hey yo, F--k Nuts,” or “Now you only got half a mind.” (The last quotation is spoken by a punk after he shot a store owner. The store owner was about to fight the punk, and began his tirade by saying, “I’ve got half a mind to come out there—” (He’s subsequently cut off by a shotgun blast to his chest.) And, of course, when I was teaching, I taught one of my classes the philosophical tenet: “Chance favors the prepared mind.” This is from The Seagal film Under Siege 2. 

Carrie with Carrie Fisher

What started out as The Adventures of Luke Starkiller as taken from the Journal of the Whills, Saga I: The Star Wars, and eventually became Star Wars revolutionized the science fiction genres and launched the cast into stardom. However,  had George Lucas gone in a different direction with the casting of Princess Leia, what might have happened?

The Set-Up

Brian De Palma and George Lucas set up a joint casting session for both Carrie and Star Wars. In fact, William Katt who would play Tommy Ross in the film Carrie had been considered for the role of Luke Skywalker. Interestingly, Robert Englund, who would portray Freddy Krueger, auditioned for Star Wars and suggested his friend Mark Hamill be considered. 

The Execution

Carrie did extremely well both critically and commercially and is regarded as one of the great all-time horror movies. It was also the first adaptation of a Stephen King story and would help to establish his legacy as well. Piper Laurie, who played Carrie's mother, thought the film was a black comedy since she felt her performance was too over-the-top. She had to be told otherwise.

"A skeleton walks into a bar and says 'give me a beer and a mop.'

What might have been

So, hypothetically, Carrie Fisher plays Carrie in the film Carrie, and aside from being extremely meta, allows for Jodie Foster to portray Princess Leia. 

I just wish I could switch places with her for one day

This, of course, changes her career trajectory, which means a different actress plays Clarice Starling in the film adaptation of The Silence of the Lambs. 

I always tell the truth. Even when I lie...

Beverly Hills Cop with Sylvester Stallone

Originally developed to be an action film about a cop in a fish out of water scenario, the script went through multiple changes, casting revisions, genre changes, and ultimately became a classic film that helped launch Eddie Murphy to superstardom. However, in an alternate timeline, we have this:

                                       Like a Rhinestone Cowboy

The Set-Up

Pitched as an action film titled Beverly Drive, the lead character was named Axel Elly, and would initially be played by Mickey Rourke who subsequently left the project and was replaced by Sylvester Stallone. He rewrote the script, renaming Axel Foley, Axel Cobretti. I discuss this and other aspects in the following short story: http://five2onemagazine.com/the-dialectics-of-val-kilmers-elbow-by-andrew-davie/

The Execution

Stallone quits the film, takes his ideas with him, and makes Cobra. Beverly Hills Cop catches lightning in a bottle and becomes a touchstone in the genre. Although, the fact it managed to stay coherent is a miracle (In one scene, an actor can be glimpsed holding the script, since there were so many changes.) Not to mention, we are treated to Brian Thompson's portrayal of The Night Slasher in Cobra. 

The Pythagorean theorem is  h² = 1² + 1² = 2, Pig!

What might have been

Stallone stays with Beverly Hills Cop which becomes a standard action film. His career trajectory is unaffected, although we miss out on the various Rambo sequels. Similarly, Eddie Murphy is available to do the following film:

"When you're walking down the street, and you see a little ghost..."