MOVIE NEWS – Robert Redford came close to starring in one of cinema’s greatest love stories, but producers thought he was too handsome. Instead, Clint Eastwood was chosen for the part, reshaping the fate of this classic. Sometimes, looks can work against even the most talented stars.

After cementing his legacy as Denys Finch Hatton in Out of Africa, Robert Redford was nearly cast in another timeless romance: 1995’s The Bridges of Madison County. Yet his undeniable charm and good looks were seen as a drawback for the role of Robert Kincaid. Producers wanted someone with a tougher edge, which ultimately led to Clint Eastwood stepping in. In other words, Redford lost the role for being “too handsome.”

When being handsome backfires

Before Eastwood took on the part, Redford was high on the list to play Kincaid. But according to an Entertainment Weekly report, the studio felt differently: “He’s a matinee idol, not a tough, straightforward guy. Clint has more edge.”

Initially, Steven Spielberg had secured the rights and tapped Sydney Pollack to direct. When Pollack dropped out, Eastwood not only starred but also took the director’s chair. Redford’s name still lingered in the mix for a while, proving that the decision wasn’t about ability, but about finding the right profile.

Spielberg later explained his reasoning: “I’ve been friends with Clint since the time of Play Misty for Me in the early ’70s. I always believed Clint, in real life, was a much drier version of Waller’s Kincaid. He was always my first choice.” That long-standing friendship tipped the scales in Eastwood’s favor.

Although Redford never got to play Kincaid, the thought of him taking on a darker, rougher character is intriguing. After all, he had explored similar territory in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. But fate decided otherwise, and the role went down in history as one of Eastwood’s most memorable performances.

Source: Espinof