Before the series ‘Mad Men‘ (2007) revolutionized television and made Jon Hamm an international star, AMC had another stalwart in mind: Thomas Jane, best known for his role in the 2004 Marvel film ‘The Punisher.’
Despite the project having all the hallmarks of becoming one of the best TV series ever, Jane passed on the chance. Why did a prominent movie actor refuse such an iconic role in television history? Well, the decision reflected a common Hollywood assumption that almost altered Don Draper‘s future forever.
Thomas Jane Chose Film Projects Over Don Draper
Before Jon Hamm became synonymous with the fictional advertising executive in ‘Mad Men,’ AMC reportedly considered casting another actor as Don Draper. Hamm revealed that the network wanted Thomas Jane to portray the character.
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At that moment, Jane had already become a familiar face in Hollywood thanks to his remarkable roles in movies such as ‘Boogie Nights,’ ‘Deep Blue Sea,’ and ‘The Punisher,’ which gave him more visibility than Hamm.
Jane ultimately rejected AMC’s offer due to a firm preference, effectively ending any further discussions about the role. Therefore, the company had to look for another actor capable of playing the enigmatic character.
“Nobody knew who I was. The casting directors didn’t know who I was. I wasn’t on anybody’s list,” Hamm told Marc Maron in a 2011 appearance on the WTF podcast. “I think they went to Thomas Jane for it, and they were told that Thomas Jane doesn’t do television.”
This decision reflected the prevailing norms of Hollywood at the time. Even as the television industry was developing rapidly, it still lacked the movie industry’s prestige. Therefore, big movie actors rarely wanted to risk their careers by doing roles in TV series, and Jane followed suit.
Jane’s Decision Paved The Way For Jon Hamm
Meanwhile, Thomas Jane’s rejection gave Jon Hamm the opportunity to join one of the most successful series in recent years. Even though it now seems that destiny intended Hamm to become Don Draper, he faced a rather tough road at the beginning.
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Creator Matthew Weiner recalled that Hamm could not convince network executives of his abilities at first, so he had to prove his mettle through multiple rounds of auditions before securing the role. His efforts finally paid off, as Hamm became a favorite of Matthew Weiner.
The success of ‘Mad Men’ also reflected the rapidly changing television landscape. The series helped usher in a new era of prestige dramas and transformed Hamm into a major star. Had Jane accepted the role, his career and the history of the acclaimed AMC series might have unfolded quite differently.
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