In the world of cinematography and filmmaking, there are many reputed names, but only a few are as distinct as Quentin Tarantino, who has left an impact on the film industry with his contributions and storytelling revolutions that he has become one of the biggest and most successful directors in the history of cinema.
Part of the reason for the success of his films on both critical and commercial levels is the fact that the filmmaker knows who he would like to see play out the characters he made, which gives him an edge on the casting front. But for some reason, when he was about to cast Samuel L. Jackson for his then-upcoming film, he mistook him for someone else entirely.
Quentin Tarantino Confused Samuel L. Jackson With Laurence Fishburne
Famous and revered for his unique and multi-directional style of storytelling, the artistic impression that director Quentin Tarantino possesses is something that can only be truly experienced through his films. Part of that charm is his seemingly perfect casting process that brings only the best stars who are well-suited for the job to play the roles that seem like they were made for them, even if he has to convince them personally. Therefore, despite that fact, it was odd to see Tarantino misidentify Samuel L. Jackson for none other than John Wick and The Matrix star Laurence Fishburne.
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In a past interview with the entire cast of Pulp Fiction, Jackson talked about how he was on his way from the airport to audition for the role of Jules Winnfield, and when he reached there, one of the line producers called him and said how he liked his performances in films while addressing him as Mr. Fishburne. Since he was a little pissed at the time, he became even more angry as he figured that he had been misidentified by the entire production. In the interview with Vanity Fair, the MCU star said:
“I sort of was angry, pissed, tired, When they came back, a line producer or somebody who was with them said, ‘I love your work, Mr. Fishburne,’ It was like a slow burn. He doesn’t know who I am? I was kind of like, F*ck it. At that point I really didn’t care.”
This anger and frustration led him to become a loose canon during the audition process, which scared the director and producer so much that they found the perfect man for the job.
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How Samuel L. Jackson Scared Quentin Tarantino During The Audition
During the same interview, Richard N. Gladstein, who was there during the audition process with the Django Unchained director recalled the entire incident where Jackson just barged in with a burger and a drink in hand and scared the entire production. He said:
“In comes Sam with a burger in his hand and a drink in the other hand and stinking like fast food. Me and Quentin and Lawrence were sitting on the couch, and he walked in and just started sipping that shake and biting that burger and looking at all of us. I was scared sh*tless. I thought that this guy was going to shoot a gun right through my head. His eyes were popping out of his head. And he just stole the part.”
It was also reported that he borderline threatened the director and the producers that if anyone else got this role other than him, then he would blow them up.
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Pulp Fiction, streaming on Max.
Source: Vanity Fair
