Will Arnett recalls a challenging audition that nearly ended in disaster when he met Kevin Costner for a role in the western film The Postman. This Kevin Costner audition story reveals how illness and nerves nearly derailed one of Arnett’s early career moments.
Struggles Before Breakthrough
Before achieving fame, Will Arnett endured years of grueling auditions, struggling to establish himself despite his obvious comedic talent. His big break eventually came with the cult sitcom Arrested Development, which, although beloved, had a limited audience and ended after just three seasons. Prior to landing this role, Arnett faced many setbacks, including the difficult experience auditioning for Kevin Costner’s film.
A Tough Audition Experience With Kevin Costner
Arnett’s audition for The Postman was hindered by illness. The night before his meeting with Costner, Arnett suffered food poisoning severe enough to require a hospital visit for dehydration. He described the ordeal:
“The night before, I had eaten something bad, and I ended up going to the hospital because I was so dehydrated from being ill,”
Will Arnett said.
“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.”
Despite the nerves and physical discomfort, Arnett proceeded with the audition but ultimately did not secure the role.
The Context of Costner’s Career at the Time
At the time of the audition, Kevin Costner was at the height of his career. Seven years earlier, he had won Academy Awards for Best Picture and Best Director with Dances with Wolves, a notable Western success. Throughout the 1990s, Costner continued starring in major films including JFK, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, The Bodyguard, and Tin Cup. However, with The Postman, Costner returned to directing a post-apocalyptic Western that did not resonate well with critics or audiences.
The Impact and Aftermath of The Postman
The Postman was widely panned, earning Costner Golden Raspberry Awards for Worst Director and Worst Picture, a rare distinction reflecting the film’s critical and commercial failure. This outcome overshadowed what might have been a key opportunity for Arnett, though ironically, it marked a turning point in both of their careers.
Where Are They Now?
While Costner remains a significant figure in film and television, his later projects have seen complications. He left the hit series Yellowstone to direct the multi-part western Horizon: An American Saga, which he funded himself. After the underperformance of the first installment in theaters, the continuation faced delays and legal issues due to misconduct allegations on set.
Meanwhile, Will Arnett has steadily gained recognition, with critics highlighting his strong dramatic performance in Bradley Cooper’s recent dramedy Is This Thing On? Many consider this one of the best roles of his career, demonstrating his growing versatility beyond comedy.
