When you think about the character of Jules Winnfield from ‘Pulp Fiction,’ the iconic look comes to mind: the sharp black suit, the piercing soulful gaze, and the immaculately styled hairdo. This is a character who would just seem incomplete without his signature look.
However, when it comes to the world of filmmaking, things may turn out quite differently, as some of the most memorable scenes in movies happen by pure chance. One of the most defining visual moments in the film could have turned out completely differently—until Samuel L. Jackson stepped in to preserve the look of one of cinema’s most iconic hitmen.
Samuel L. Jackson Got His Famous Hairdo By Accident
Jules Winnfield, played by Samuel L. Jackson in the iconic film, was not meant to look the way he does in ‘Pulp Fiction.’ While the director originally wanted to give Jules a large afro, the character ended up with a totally different hairstyle. thanks to a simple pre-production mix-up.
As explained by Jackson in his interview with Michael Keaton for Variety in 2015, during the shooting of the film, a production assistant accidentally bought a Jheri curl wig instead of a huge afro, as was intended.
“Actually, it became mine because Quentin actually wanted me to have an afro wig; he wanted it to be a big afro, so the PA he went out to buy the wig, bought the wrong wig. She bought a Jheri curl wig.”
According to Jackson, Tarantino immediately objected to the mistake. “She came back with it, and he was like, ‘No, no, I told you afro wig!'” Jackson said.
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This simple mix-up ended up giving birth to one of the most unforgettable visual elements in cinema history.
Samuel L. Jackson Made Tarantino Change His Mind
While Tarantino initially wanted the wig replaced, Jackson successfully convinced him to lean into the mistake. As argued by Jackson, the Jheri curl would make Jules feel much more authentic in relation to his background and the surrounding atmosphere.
“This is perfect for Jules for that neighborhood. Look, man, everybody in N.W.A. had a Jheri curl at the time,” Jackson recounted.
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Jackson’s logic won the director over. Tarantino agreed to stick with the accidental hairstyle. Along with the sharp black suit, intense stare, and memorable phrases, this hairstyle made Jules Winnfield one of the most unforgettable characters in modern cinema.
Samuel L. Jackson earned an Academy Award nomination for his breakout performance, winning the BAFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor and the Independent Spirit Award for Best Male Lead. He also secured Golden Globe and SAG award nominations for the iconic role.
What do you think about Samuel L. Jackson’s look in ‘Pulp Fiction‘? Let us know in the comments section below.
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