Morgan Freeman recognized the inevitable failure of the doomed movie, "The Bonfire of the Vanities," and voiced his awareness.
Actors often recognize when a film is headed for failure, and Morgan Freeman was no exception. Despite the high-profile cast and potential surrounding the 1990 adaptation of The Bonfire of the Vanities, Freeman quickly sensed that the project was in trouble. His awareness of the movie’s doomed fate highlights the difficulties even talented actors face when involved in problematic productions.
The Difficulty Behind Casting and Creative Decisions
Though the film boasted major stars like Tom Hanks, Bruce Willis, and Melanie Griffith, its production was fraught with challenges. Originally, Steve Martin was considered for the role ultimately given to Hanks, while the studio pushed director Brian De Palma to cast Willis for his box office appeal rather than the best artistic fit. This studio interference, coupled with a contractual dispute involving F. Murray Abraham demanding his name be removed from the credits, contributed to a toxic atmosphere on set. Such issues foreshadowed the film’s poor reception.
Morgan Freeman’s Role and Perspective on the Film
Morgan Freeman’s character, Judge Leonard White, was recast after significant rewrites of the screenplay. Alan Arkin was initially slated for the role, but changes were made to soften the character and dilute racial political themes, leading to Freeman’s casting instead. Freeman openly admitted his doubts about the film’s success, telling Entertainment Weekly,
Image of: Morgan Freeman
“I knew that movie wasn’t going to work”
—Morgan Freeman, actor. He criticized De Palma’s handling of the project, adding that
“he didn’t read the book or that he didn’t like the book”
—Morgan Freeman, actor.
Critique of Casting Choices and Political Considerations
Freeman was critical of the casting decisions, labeling Tom Hanks as
“the one time Tom Hanks was awfully miscast”
—Morgan Freeman, actor, and admitted the original choice, Alan Arkin, would have been perfect casting. While acknowledging the studio’s push to avoid controversy by casting a Black actor in the judge’s role, Freeman conceded
“they had to be politically correct and make the judge black”
—Morgan Freeman, actor. He also expressed regret for accepting the part, confessing
“kind of a suck-ass for not turning it down”
—Morgan Freeman, actor.
The Film’s Failure and Its Enduring Legacy
The Bonfire of the Vanities was a box office disaster, recouping less than a third of its $47 million budget. It earned five Golden Raspberry nominations, including ‘Worst Picture’ and ‘Worst Director’. Despite starring a lineup of famous actors, the film remains infamous in Hollywood circles, serving as a cautionary tale of mismanagement and poor creative decisions.
Freeman’s Distance from the Final Product
Notably, Freeman has never seen the film in its entirety, which is common among actors involved in high-profile flops. His early intuition proved accurate, as the movie struggled both critically and commercially. His perspective underscores the challenges stars face when artistic vision clashes with studio demands and political considerations.
