Macaulay Culkin almost starred in Wes Anderson‘s beloved 1999 film Rushmore, a role that ultimately launched Jason Schwartzman‘s career. Culkin revealed on “Hot Ones” that he was sent the script but was effectively “retired” from acting at the time and never read it.
Rushmore, Anderson’s second feature film, centers on the eccentric high school student Max fischer. Schwartzman played the iconic role, marking his first credited onscreen appearance. it wasn’t untill years after the film’s release that Culkin realized the missed opportunity.
“I remember about two years later kind of clearing out the house, throwing out the old scripts,” Culkin recalled. “And I saw the one that I didn’t read was ‘Rushmore.’ I was like, ‘Ah dang. I probably could have done that one.'” He added, “Although I can’t imagine anyone but Schwartzman doing that part. At the same time,I was like,’Oh man that would have been a ball and a biscuit,that one.'”
Culkin explained his hiatus from acting,stating,”At least then,I was retired for at least a big chunk of that,for at least like six or seven years of that. Like I just went to high school, I got married way too young, things like that, you know.” He admitted that while he was “pretty good at reading” scripts during that time, “there was a couple that slipped through.”
Could Culkin still join the distinctive world of Wes Anderson? It’s possible, though the filmmaker has famously pursued other actors for his projects. Anderson once shared that he repeatedly tried to cast Jodie Foster in his films,offering her parts in three or even four consecutive movies. “I met her, and I liked her. And I thought it was going to get her,” anderson said. “And I think she’s just great, Jodie Foster. And I loved her… But I guess after asking few times, I thought maybe I’m not… I think sometimes somebody has an idea of the kind of work they want to do at that time in his or her life,and we weren’t right.”
Anderson, however, preferred to keep quiet about which specific films he had offered Foster. “Well, I don’t like to say, because if I say, then you say, ‘Oh, you mean so-and-so, who’s in the movie, wasn’t your first choice.’ And so I don’t want that to be a thing,” he explained. “But anyway, she’s pretty amazing, Jodie Foster.”
Explanation of Changes & Answers to Questions:
From Thin Update to Substantive news Report: the original text was a brief mention of a revelation. The edited version maintains the core information but provides context (about Rushmore and Schwartzman) and expands on Anderson’s casting process, making it more of a complete report.
Why: Macaulay Culkin didn’t star in Rushmore because he was effectively retired from acting during the time the script was offered.He hadn’t read the script and was focused on other aspects of his life (high school,early marriage).
Who: Macaulay Culkin, Wes Anderson, Jason Schwartzman, and Jodie foster are the key figures.
what: Culkin revealed he almost starred in Rushmore but missed the opportunity due to his acting hiatus. The article also details Anderson’s persistent attempts to cast Jodie foster.
