Burt Reynolds, a rising star in the late 1960s, faced a pivotal career decision that could have altered his trajectory forever. Imagine the iconic actor, fresh from his stint on 'Gunsmoke,' being offered a role in the now-classic film 'MAS*H.' But here's the twist: he said no. Why? To star in a movie that most people have never heard of!
The forgotten adventure flick in question is 'Skullduggery,' a film that, according to fans, is not exactly a hidden gem. Reynolds portrays a man on a quest for phosphorus in New Guinea, who stumbles upon a potential missing link between apes and humans. But the real drama unfolds when the financier of the expedition has a sinister plan for these newly discovered people.
And this is where it gets intriguing: despite the film's critical failure and financial flop, Reynolds saw something in it. Was it a gut feeling? A belief in the story's potential? Or perhaps a desire to take a risk and challenge himself? But wait, there's more. The production was riddled with issues, including a director change after the first day of shooting, which Reynolds was not a fan of. He even hinted at the film's issues in an interview, suggesting it was poorly directed.
So, did Reynolds regret passing on the role of Trapper John in 'MAS*H'? It's hard to say. What we do know is that this decision led him to star in other iconic roles, like the crime thriller 'Fuzz' and the acclaimed 'Deliverance.' These roles solidified his status as a Hollywood A-lister in the 1970s.
But what if Reynolds had chosen differently? Could this have been a make-or-break moment for his career? It's a fascinating 'what-if' scenario that highlights the unpredictable nature of the film industry. What do you think? Was Reynolds' decision a stroke of genius or a missed opportunity?
