“We got passed on by every studio”: Indiana Jones Director James Mangold’s $71M Movie With Christian Bale Nearly Didn’t Get Made After Tom Cruise Left Project

Christian Bale has impressed the world with his insane physical transformations and meticulous versatility in pulling off any role he gets into. From supervillain to superhero, he has engrossed himself in several roles which have brought him critical acclaim. Having worked on some amazing projects, he collaborated with Indiana Jones director, James Mangold in a western-action film, 3:10 to Yuma. 

Also Read: Tim Burton on Why Michael Keaton is Superior to Ben Affleck and Christian Bale’s Batman: “That’s the thing I thought made him perfect”

This project came right after Mangold received critical acclaim for Johnny Cash’s biopic, Walk the Line. However, it still had to face some financial issues after Tom Cruise left the project.

Tom Cruise Got Nearly Cast in Christian Bale’s 3:10 to Yuma

Also Read: Not Leatherface or Jason Voorhees, Tom Cruise Inspired Christian Bale’s $34M Cult-Classic Psychopath Role: “Very intense friendliness with nothing behind the eyes”

Alongside Christian Bale, a star-studded cast including Russell Crowe, Peter Fonda, and Ben Foster among several others were involved in James Mangold’s 3:10 to Yuma. The director had his eyes set on Crowe for Ben Wade’s role. He told Ain’t It Cool News via Looper,

“The person I wanted first for this movie beyond all others was Russell Crowe for Ben Wade.”

However, it was initially impossible due to Crowe’s pre-negotiated untitled 20th Century Fox project (now Australia) written by director Baz Luhrmann. Due to the scheduling conflict, Mangold explored other options with one being superstar, Tom Cruise.

It was reported that the Top Gun star was apparently interested in the role but Crowe entered into the chapter when he left the adventure-drama project. Getting the actor he initially wanted, the Wolverine director went ahead with his film. As for Crowe’s role in the 2008’s Australia film, he was replaced by Hugh Jackman which got mixed reviews from critics. Not just that, but the director also had to face another issue when his project lacked investment.

James Mangold’s 3:10 to Yuma Was Passed on By Major Giants in Film Industry

Also Read: New Dark Knight Trilogy in the Works With Christian Bale as Christopher Nolan Invited Back to WB Studios? Director Paid 7-Figure Bonus as ‘Sign of Good Faith’

Despite having big names associated with the project, Mangold opened up about facing financial issues when all the big studios in the film industry seemed uninterested in it. The director explained at the time that it happened due to their doubt about the Western film genre. Given that Mangold at the time gained critical acclaim for his film, Walk the Line, he was taken aback when it was passed on by every big giant.

“We got passed on by every studio. I mean think about this, you make ‘Walk the Line,’ you have a very successful film that makes a lot of money for everyone involved and we go out with our next project which is, by any standard, a very commercial storyline with action and drama and great actors, and nobody wants to make it.”

It was reported that Sony was originally interested to invest in the project. However, when they ditched, Mangold secured the financing on his own from a bank loan. Lionsgate agreed to distribute the project which received positive reviews from critics and grossed $71 million worldwide.

3:10 to Yuma is available on Lionsgate Play.

Source: Ain’t It Cool News via Looper