Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
The star of Western cinema (most known for the widely popularized Spaghetti Westerns) aka Clint Eastwood shared his love for films just as much as any other artist and actor but when it comes to family, he could give Dom Toretto a run for his money. The Hollywood icon who made a name for himself during the 60s as an actor and filmmaker was at the time considered inimitable and an undefeated champion in the realm of cinema.
But when his son was snubbed for an essentially unknown actor in one of the greatest films in the making, the measures Eastwood took as retribution for the loss (or perhaps, perceived insult) were a bit drastic.
Also read:“He wants to go out in a blazing sunset”: Clint Eastwood Feels Betrayed by WB After $33M Box-Office Bomb That Nearly Starred Arnold Schwarzenegger
Clint Eastwood Makes It Personal After Son’s Rejection
Throughout the 70s and 80s, action was beginning to gain a new face and gather more traction than ever before. The arrival ofArnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Jean-Claude Van Damme, and Bruce Lee had given the industry a cause to rally behind – action and martial arts. As such, whenKarate Kidcame along, the script presented was an iconic one for bringing a story that was not simply a hero going up against a villain but essentially coming-of-age and finding faith, love, and friendship in the rarest place one would look in.
Of the many who auditioned,Clint Eastwood’s son, Kyle, was among the numerous other familiar faces. Years later,Ralph Macchiowould go on to recall a few of them –Robert Downey Jr.and Charlie Sheen – and thought to himself how Sheen didn’t even look the part, i.e. an“Italian guy from Jersey.”However, while the other actors took the rejection in stride, Clint Eastwood was hardly someone to let it go.
Also read:“The film was ahead of its time”: Ralph Macchio Slammed Critics for CallingThe Karate Kid“Too White” Despite Japanese Co-Star Pat Morita Getting an Oscar Nomination
In the years that followed, the filmmaker banned all Coca-Cola products from his sets. The reason: the studio that producedThe Karate Kid, i.e. Columbia Pictures was owned by the soft drink beverage company. Eastwood perhaps took the saying revenge is a dish (or a drink, in this case) best served cold a bit too literally.The film went on to make $130.8 million worldwide and generate subsequent sequels and a highly successful spin-off,Cobra Kai, on Netflix.
Clint Eastwood’s Legacy Stays Durable in Hollywood
The Spaghetti Western star had stayed relevant throughout his years in front of the lens as a gun-slinging action hero as long as his knees allowed him the honor. Later, Eastwood hung his cowboy hats and pistols and retired his horses to the stables in exchange for a life behind the lens. As a director, the legend and auteur made great contributions to the artistic canon of cinema.
Also read:“I’m probably more apt to direct something”: Clint Eastwood Refused to Star in Sylvester Stallone’s $214M Movie, Preferred to Become Director Instead
As a director, he has led actors in numerous Academy Award-winning projects, includingUnforgiven(1992),Million Dollar Baby(2004),Mystic River(2003), andLetters from Iwo Jima(2006). Among other well-known films released under his directorial venture areChangeling(2008) starring Angelina Jolie, Invictus (2009) starring Morgan Freeman and Matt Damon,American Sniper(2014) starring Bradley Cooper, andSully(2016) starring Tom Hanks.
Source:The Game of Nerds
Diya Majumdar
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2408
Diya Majumdar is a Senior Content Writer at FandomWire with over 2000 published articles on the website. Since 2022, she has been working as an entertainment journalist with a special focus on films and pop culture.Among the countless genres and themes of Hollywood, the ones that particularly favor Diya’s tastes include Game of Thrones, DC, and well-aged thrillers and classics.
