In 1986, Richard Gere turned down a “terrific” movie. It got six Oscar nominations and made over $300 million
Richard Gere turned down the role of Dan Gallagher in Adrian Lyne’s *Fatal Attraction*, despite later saying he liked the film and thought Lyne and its star, Michael Douglas, did a terrific job. The 1987 thriller became a major hit, and Gere’s decision came as his recent films had struggled at the box office.
The article says Gere appeared in six films between 1983 and 1986, five of which underperformed, and had no screen release in 1987. *Fatal Attraction* earned more than $300 million and received six Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director. Gere also turned down the role of Gordon Gekko in *Wall Street*, for which Douglas won the Best Actor Oscar.
In short
- Gere passed on the lead role in *Fatal Attraction*.
- The film made over $300 million and earned six Oscar nominations.
- He also turned down Gordon Gekko in *Wall Street*.
Explained simply
In the mid-1980s, Richard Gere was an established actor whose recent films had struggled to attract audiences. Adrian Lyne’s Fatal Attraction offered him the role of Dan Gallagher, a married man whose affair leads to a dangerous conflict.
The part went to Michael Douglas, while Fatal Attraction became a major box-office success and received six Academy Award nominations. Douglas also starred as Gordon Gekko in Wall Street, another role Gere had declined; these choices are often discussed as examples of how casting decisions can shape an actor’s career.
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