Clint Eastwood’s rejection of Sergio Leone Western films marked a turning point in the history of the Spaghetti Western genre, following the actor’s departure after their acclaimed Dollars trilogy. The reasons behind Eastwood’s refusal to continue working with Leone—especially to decline a role in a Western now rated at 96% on Rotten Tomatoes—reveal a story about artistic direction and creative fulfillment that changed both of their careers.
Eastwood Rises to Fame Through Leone’s Iconic Westerns
Before their professional split, Clint Eastwood became an international star, first through his involvement in the television show Rawhide, and then by starring in a series of Spaghetti Westerns directed by Sergio Leone. Their collaboration on the Dollars trilogy—A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More, and The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly—cemented Eastwood’s screen persona as the enigmatic Man with No Name.
The artistic partnership between Eastwood and Leone was a central force in defining the Western genre in both Europe and America. Leone, drawing inspiration from directors such as Akira Kurosawa—whose film Yojimbo sparked the concept for A Fistful of Dollars—brought a distinctive style to the genre, with Ennio Morricone providing unforgettable scores that shaped the atmosphere of the films.
After reaching new heights with The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, Eastwood’s relationship with Italian cinema, and particularly with Leone, began to reach its natural end. The actor returned to Hollywood at the very moment Leone was preparing what many would consider his crowning achievement as a director.
Creative Differences Lead to a Parting of Ways
Despite the continuous successes they enjoyed together, Eastwood and Leone chose not to collaborate further, ending one of cinema’s most influential partnerships. Eastwood explained his decision to break away from Leone’s evolving film style during a conversation recounted in the book Conversations with Clint:
But I felt at the time, after The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, that [Leone] was going in a different direction than I wanted. He wanted to go more into a kind of spectacle thing. I think Leone more envisioned himself as a David Lean à la Italiano, and that’s understandable. He just wanted to make bigger, more elaborate projects.
—Clint Eastwood
While Martin Scorsese worked with actors like Robert De Niro and Leonardo DiCaprio across decades and multiple projects, Eastwood decided not to pursue further collaborations with Leone once their approaches to filmmaking began to diverge. According to Eastwood, Leone saw himself creating spectacles, aspiring to craft films reminiscent of David Lean’s epics, while Eastwood sought roles that provided personal and artistic challenges.
This difference in vision became evident as Leone’s ambitions for increasingly grand Westerns continued to grow. Even after several successes that defined the genre, Eastwood declined the opportunity to take part in Leone’s next ambitious undertaking, signaling an end to their joint efforts.
The Missed Opportunity: ‘Once Upon a Time in the West’
After the hallmark Dollars trilogy, Leone began preparing Once Upon a Time in the West, a film renowned for its grand visuals, sweeping landscapes, and tension-filled storytelling. Ennio Morricone returned to score the film, further enhancing its legendary status. For the cast, Leone secured Henry Fonda in a standout villainous role, and a youthful Charles Bronson as the lead.
Once Upon a Time in the West went on to become one of Leone’s most celebrated films, earning a 96% Rotten Tomatoes rating and maintaining praise decades after its release. Despite the film’s ultimate acclaim, Clint Eastwood turned down Leone’s offer for a key role. Expanding on his reasons, Eastwood explained his perspective at the time:
There was no challenge for me anymore. In The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, there certainly wasn’t as much of a challenge as a performer as there was in A Fistful of Dollars or For a Few Dollars More. In each one, progressively, the impetus became on the production values rather than the story.
—Clint Eastwood
Eastwood’s statement clarifies that after making three Westerns with Leone—each intensifying in spectacle, but decreasing in character-driven narrative—he felt the creative impetus was shifting away from meaningful storytelling. As a result, the actor opted to move forward with other projects in Hollywood, leaving behind opportunities with Leone.
The director’s subsequent casting of Charles Bronson, alongside the inclusion of revered talent like Henry Fonda, ensured Once Upon a Time in the West would proceed to critical success, but the anticipated reunion between Eastwood and Leone never materialized.
Declining Further Roles and Lasting Legacy
Reports indicate Eastwood was also approached to join Leone’s film Duck, You Sucker!, the second in Leone’s loosely connected Once Upon a Time trilogy. Yet again, Eastwood declined participation, likely for the same artistic reasons he cited regarding the previous offer. Instead, the partnership that defined a cinematic era came to a permanent close.
While Sergio Leone continued directing and achieved further acclaim—famously crafting Once Upon a Time in America—his collaborations with Eastwood had ended. The decision ultimately reflected a clash of artistic ambitions and visions, resulting in the separation of two of Western cinema’s most influential figures.
Today, Once Upon a Time in the West remains widely celebrated and is available for viewing on streaming services like Fubo TV. Though fans continue to imagine what could have been, the creative split between Eastwood and Leone allowed both to pursue new directions—Eastwood solidifying his Hollywood legacy, and Leone achieving recognition for his grand, operatic filmmaking style.
The story of Clint Eastwood’s rejection of Sergio Leone Western films not only highlights the complexities of creative collaboration in cinema, but also underscores how individual artistic choices can leave a lasting impact on film history. The landmark films they created together, and the ones Eastwood declined, continue to be studied and admired, ensuring their enduring influence on the genre and beyond.
