Most people probably know Michael J. Fox for his leading role in “Back to the Future.” But the actor nearly became part of another cult film. He realized too late that his rejection was a serious mistake.
Who is Michael J. Fox? Even if not everyone knows the name of the actor, his most famous role is likely known by most. In Back to the Future, Fox portrayed the young Marty McFly, who travels through time with Doc Brown, played by Christopher Lloyd, in three films.
Over the years, Fox played many other roles. Since being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, he has stepped back and announced in 2020 that he would no longer work as an actor due to health issues.
Nevertheless, he continues to give interviews where he talks about his career. He turned down a role in the 90s, a decision he still regrets today.
A True Cult Film of the 90s
Which film is it about? It may be a matter of taste, but in many circles, Ghost – Message from Sam is considered a cult film of the 90s. The unusual love story between Molly (Demi Moore) and her deceased husband (Patrick Swayze), who continues to communicate with her as a ghost, resonated at the time and was well-received by audiences.
The character of Sam is one of Swayze’s most famous roles, who also starred in some classics such as Dirty Dancing, Point Break, or Roadhouse. The latter recently got a remake.
However, the role of Sam in Ghost was initially offered to several other Hollywood stars before Swayze got it. Among them were well-known names like Harrison Ford, Tom Hanks, Bruce Willis, or Tom Cruise. Michael J. Fox was also asked but declined.
In an interview with The View, he explains his decision to Whoopi Goldberg, who starred in Ghost:
I had the opportunity to work with you, which I did not take. You told me early in the development process of Ghost. I said it would never work. I said: Whoopi (Goldberg) is great, but it will never work. And then it was great, a huge success and I said: I’m a damn idiot.
Michael J. Fox via The View
How successful was the film at the box office? In the end, Ghost became a box office hit, grossing over 500 million US dollars worldwide. The film’s budget was relatively small at 22 million US dollars.
Michael J. Fox says he was very annoyed when he heard about the film’s success. Not because he didn’t wish the filmmakers and actors well, but because he deeply regretted not having accepted the offer. What the iconic scene at the pottery wheel would have looked like with Fox instead of Swayze remains to our imagination. Or you can watch one of Fox’s biggest successes again, which already predicted today’s Hollywood back in 1989.
