Will Arnett once auditioned for the 1997 film The Postman, starring and directed by Kevin Costner, while battling a severe bout of food poisoning. Reflecting on the experience, Arnett described the intense anxiety he felt attending the meeting with Costner under such difficult circumstances, revealing his concern over a potential embarrassing accident. This story underscores a highly challenging moment early in Arnett’s career tied to the keyword Kevin Costner The Postman.
Details of Arnett’s Uncomfortable Audition Experience
The actor, appearing on the January 29 episode of Hot Ones, shared the ordeal he faced just before his audition. After suffering from extreme dehydration due to illness and almost a full day away from a bathroom, Arnett described feeling overwhelmed with worry during the meeting.
“Remember Kevin Costner did that movie, I think it was called The Postman? Anybody remember that movie?”
he asked, noting his nervousness about making a good impression despite his physical state.
He recalled,
“The night before I had eaten something bad, and I ended up going to the hospital because I was so dehydrated from being ill,”
followed by,
“At that point, that afternoon going to meet him, that was the furthest I’d been away from the bathroom in like 14 hours. And I remember getting up there and meeting him and being a fan of his and just sweating. And just thinking like this could go really bad right now. I was meeting Kevin Costner and I legitimately was worried about crapping my pants.”
Context and Cast of The Postman
The Postman is set in a post-apocalyptic world where Costner’s character strives to reunite people across what was once the United States. The film also featured notable actors such as Will Patton, Olivia Williams, Tom Petty, and Giovanni Ribisi. Although Arnett did not specify which role he auditioned for in that movie, this early challenge came shortly after his film debut in 1996 with the movies Ed’s Next Move and Close Up.
Early Career Struggles and Later Success
Despite his initial foray into films, Arnett’s breakthrough came years later with his role as Gob Bluth on the critically acclaimed TV series Arrested Development starting in 2003. He has been candid about his difficulties landing roles and his cautious approach to auditions. In 2004, he revealed in an interview with Variety that he had avoided auditions for television pilots due to previous disappointments, such as being cut from roles after series pickups.
He said,
“When it went to series, my character got cut or I got fired,”
referring to his experience with the CBS series Still Standing.
“I’m not entirely sure. I know that both things happened.”
These setbacks reflect the uncertainty and tension Arnett endured in the early stages of his career.
Significance of Arnett’s Audition Story
This anecdote illustrates the physical and emotional pressures actors often face behind the scenes, especially when meeting influential figures like Kevin Costner. Arnett’s memory reveals not only his admiration for Costner but also how stressful such pivotal moments can be, particularly when unexpected health issues arise. The story sheds light on the perseverance required to succeed in the entertainment industry despite overwhelming anxiety and challenging circumstances.
