Woody Harrelson was low down on cast list for 'White Men Can't Jump' but the first choice had no interest in basketball
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The majority of basketball movies are set in stadiums. Sometimes they involve professional athletes and other times they feature tenacious outsider high school teams. Now, Sinqua Walls and rapper Jack Harlow are getting ready to explore the legendary movie 'White Men Can't Jump' from 1992. When it comes to the criticism of these two attempting a remake, they both acknowledge their frustration but maintain that the movie simply needs to be handled with care. Starting on May 19, 2023, 'White Men Can't Jump' will only be available on Hulu.
Undoubtedly, the most well-known basketball representation in the film industry is Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson's starrer 'White Men Can't Jump'. Therefore, it is not unexpected that the ability to play basketball convincingly was one of the requirements for being cast in the 1992 film.
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Why was Woody Harrelson not the first choice for Billy Hoyle?
It has come to light that a number of well-known celebrities were either unable to play basketball or had little interest in the sport. Because of this, actors like Keanu Reeves and other well-known Hollywood figures weren't cast, and Wesley Snipes and Woody Harrelson were given the starring roles of street hustlers Sidney Deane and Billy Hoyle, as per CinemaBlend.
Snipes and Harrelson portrayed streetball hustlers in 'White Men Can't Jump,' but they previously appeared in the football comedy 'Wildcats,' starring Goldie Hawn. However, Charlie Sheen was the first choice to play the part of Billy Hoyle. Sheen was not a fan of basketball though.
Sheen declined the project, and before Harrelson was cast as Billy, a few other actors were in the running. Reeves and Duchovny were included in the list as well. The studio intended Denzel Washington to play the part of Sidney, but Snipes was cast in its place.
When Woody Harrelson bagged the roles
Ron Shelton, the writer and director of 'White Men Can't Jump,' recently disclosed that he rejected a number of performers, including Reeves, because they couldn't play the part. It makes it reasonable that Shelton would be so concerned with ensuring that 'White Men Can't Jump' accurately represented basketball.
However, because Harrelson played baseball throughout his adolescent years in Ohio, it was quite easier for him. Also, the fact that he co-starred with Snipes in 'Wildcats' and that they hit it off right away helped make the movie effortlessly. So much so that Snipes, who was cast at first, admitted to intentionally sabotaging Reeves' audition in order to give Harrelson the role.
Snipes, who was also questioned for the occasion, stated that every aspiring young actor from the time was "there for the audition." However, it turned out that not even Snipes' basketball abilities were up to snuff. Snipes "is not a great basketball player," but Shelton noted that his athleticism was readily apparent, and it was his exuberant demeanor and persistent trash-talking that helped him land the job, as per Entertainment Weekly.
