John Cleese has revealed he turned down the role of journalist Peter Fallow in Brian De Palma's 1990 film The Bonfire of the Vanities, a part that ultimately went to Bruce Willis. The comedian, best known for co-founding Monty Python and starring in Fawlty Towers, rejected the offer because he doubted De Palma's ability to direct comedy, despite the film being intended as a satirical black comedy. The disclosure highlights how differently studios once viewed casting, considering a British comic actor for a role later filled by an action star fresh off Die Hard.

Speaking to The A.V. Club, Cleese explained he admired De Palma's thrillers but had "never seen any sign of comedy in them", comparing it to not wanting a Bourne director to helm a comedy, and calling the gamble "a bit risky". In hindsight, Cleese's instinct proved sound: adapted from Tom Wolfe's novel, The Bonfire of the Vanities flopped critically, picking up five Golden Raspberry nominations and being named "Worst Picture" at the Stinkers Bad Movie Awards.