Hollywood
star
John Wayne
is
most recognized for his roles in numerous Westerns
However, there was one part he couldn’t secure that always weighed heavily on him.
Wayne, who grew up in
Iowa
, missed out on portraying Jimmy Ringo in the 1950 movie “The Gunfighter” to Gregory Peck, who was among the most beloved actors in American cinema from the 1940s through the 1970s.
The movie narrates the story of Ringo, a gunslinger from the Wild West, who is becoming increasingly weary of living with continuous peril and seeks to alter certain aspects of his existence.
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When it was first released, the film garnered favorable critiques and performed well financially at the box office.
Since then its reputation has grown considerably and it is now considered one of the greatest Westerns of the 1950s and critics say the movie is one of Peck’s best roles
William Bowers, the screenwriter, crafted the character of Jimmy specifically for Wayne. The inspiration struck after a conversation with an ex-boxing champ who mentioned that numerous individuals would intentionally seek out confrontations due to his renown.
Bowers’ initial screenplay, named “The Big Gun,” depicted outcast Jimmy Ringo’s quest for redemption as he was chased by individuals driven by desires for fame or vengeance.
Bowers believed Wayne was the ideal choice for the part, and upon receiving the script, Wayne thoroughly enjoyed it.
But Wayne only offered Bowers $10,000 for the script, and he rejected his proposal because he felt it was worth far more.
Bowers then took it to Twentieth Century-Fox, who purchased it for $70,000.
Afterward, Wayne bore a grudge against Bowers since he firmly believed the script had been sabotaged without his consent.
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Following the film’s release, Wayne expressed criticism towards it and stated that Peck was ill-suited for portraying a cowboy.
In an interview with Turner Classic Movies, Bowers mentioned that he had several interactions with Wayne during which Wayne criticized him for not getting the part.
Bowers stated that his defense would be to say, “You didn’t provide me with any compensation.” In response, Wayne might retort, “But you claimed you composed it specifically for me! Then you allowed some thin guy to take care of it instead!”
Bowers mentioned that Wayne would have excelled in the part and intended to offer it to him following his portrayal in the 1948 film “Red River.”
He stated, “John Wayne was incredibly impressive [in Red River, 1948], portraying that large, rugged, weary character. When I made The Gunfighter, I thought I had a tale centered around the toughest man in the West, even though he’s not shown doing anything particularly tough. But then, without doubt, I needed someone whom audiences would instantly find believable for this role. That’s why John Wayne fit perfectly into this part.”