Kurt Russell, known for his leading role in the 1994 sci-fi film Stargate, almost turned down the part of Colonel Jack O’Neil due to a mix-up involving the screenplay. Initially, he was sent an early draft of the script, which he found so poor that he rejected the offer multiple times. The misunderstanding arose because this early version was never meant to leave production, leading Russell to believe the project was lacking quality. Dean Devlin, the movie’s producer and co-writer, explained the mistake to Variety:
He was given a very early draft of the script that should never have gotten out. So, when he actually saw the shooting script he went, ‘Oh, this isn’t so bad.’
What Changed Kurt Russell’s Mind About Joining Stargate
After receiving the finalized script, Russell recognized the potential of his character’s journey through the Stargate, prompting him to accept the role. Additionally, a fair salary helped secure his commitment. Beyond his talent, the production team valued Russell for his ability to boost international sales, especially since the film was independently financed. As Devlin noted,
He would be a really great name for foreign sales since we were doing the movie independently,
highlighting the strategic casting decision behind Russell’s involvement.
Behind the Scenes: Navigating the Film’s Tone and Performances
Though Stargate contains moments of cheesy dialogue and an intentionally campy tone, this nature was initially a point of tension during filming. James Spader, who portrayed Egyptologist Daniel Jackson, occasionally delayed shoots due to dissatisfaction with the script’s lines. Kurt Russell stepped in to address this directly, ensuring the production stayed on track despite these creative frustrations. This experience reflected the challenges in balancing the film’s sci-fi adventure with its lighter, somewhat humorous approach.
How Stargate Compares to Other Kurt Russell Films
While Stargate may feel dated or occasionally corny, it is far from the worst movie in Kurt Russell’s filmography. It holds a modest 54% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, which is stronger than several other titles. Notably, 3000 Miles to Graceland is one of Russell’s lowest-rated movies, criticized by both reviewers and viewers, with scores of 15% and 46%, respectively. The heist film, which involves former convicts attempting a Las Vegas hotel robbery disguised as Elvis Presley impersonators, also failed financially, earning roughly $19 million against a $62 million budget.
The Notoriously Poor Reception of 3000 Miles to Graceland
3000 Miles to Graceland featured a star-studded cast including Kevin Costner and Courteney Cox, making its critical and commercial failure especially surprising. The plot’s chaotic and violent events end with many characters perishing, though survivors receive a large cash reward. Despite its ambitions and cast, it remains a low point in Russell’s career. In contrast, Stargate retains a level of appreciation among sci-fi fans, marking it as a comparatively better entry in his film legacy. Interestingly, the only Kurt Russell project with a perfect Rotten Tomatoes score is a documentary called The Battered Bastards of Baseball, for which he provided narration.
