There haven’t been many stars with charisma as natural to watch as Burt Reynolds at his peak. The legendary actor and producer dominated Hollywood during two different generations. He was equally at home in classic Golden Age films and New Hollywood blockbusters of the 1970s. His screen presence was so powerful that the audience could easily excuse even his worst movies.
Despite being incredibly skilled, Reynolds had a knack for introducing some of the greatest movies and shows ever. Thanks to his poor luck or judgment, the actor once chose a bizarre movie over the legendary series ‘M*A*S*H.’ It was one of his most regrettable decisions, one that could have changed the trajectory of his career.
The Movie That Served As A Setback For Burt Reynolds
Before becoming a star, Burt Reynolds was working steadily as a supporting player on the CBS show ‘Gunsmoke.’ Back then, the young Burt’s career had just begun, and he dreamed of making a successful transition into film acting.
Reynolds almost got the opportunity of a lifetime when filmmaker Robert Altman contacted him about playing Trapper John in his masterpiece, ‘M*A*S*H.’
Unfortunately, he couldn’t take a chance on Altman and stayed committed to a strange movie, ‘Skullduggery.’
At first glance, the premise might seem similar to ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark,’ but this 1970 adventure film is much more boring and silly than it appears.
The plot revolves around Douglas Temple (Reynolds), a fortune-seeker seeking phosphorus deposits in New Guinea.
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The character accidentally encounters a primitive tribe that represents the missing evolutionary link to ancient apes. What should have been a thrilling jungle adventure story turned out to be surprisingly tedious.
The entire plot devolves into a rather dull courtroom drama, with the debate centering on the definition of humanity.
The worst part? Such a story left little room for Burt Reynolds to showcase his incredible charisma and skills. In the meantime, his lookalike Elliott Gould delivered a breakout performance as Trapper John in Altman’s war-comedy drama.
The Regrets And Legacy Of ‘Skullduggery’
At the time of release, Burt Reynolds surely must have felt immense regret over his decision. After all, ‘Skullduggery’ flopped miserably and quickly sank into oblivion. In contrast, ‘M*A*S*H’ became a financial success and earned several Academy Awards, including a Best Picture nomination.
Reynolds’ loss also meant that Altman and Elliott Gould would continue to work together, making even more acclaimed films. But with hindsight, one can easily argue that Reynolds probably wouldn’t fit well into the 1970 movie’s cast.
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It is the actor’s romantic/action-hero persona that contradicts the show’s portrayal of its doctors as exhausted. Nevertheless, Altman created an exceptional masterpiece through a delicate balance of improvisation among the ensemble cast.
The unique dynamics later helped make an iconic TV series. In retrospect, ‘M*A*S*H’ was just one of many great films Reynolds missed because of his existing contract. Interestingly, he turned down the role of Han Solo in ‘Star Wars.’
Fortunately for the actor, he was able to overcome his misfortunes quickly and prove his star potential with a few classic films, such as ‘Deliverance’ and ‘The Longest Yard.’
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