![\"Robert](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Robert-Redford-Butch-Cassidy-and-the-Sundance-Kid-1969-Far-Out-Magazine-1140x855.jpg\")
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Credit: Far Out \/ 20th Century-Fox<\/p>\n
Sat 22 August 2026 21:15, UK <\/p>\n
Like every other big-name movie star, Robert Redford<\/a> turned down a number of roles throughout his career, but he was also guilty of committing one of Hollywood\u2019s most unprofessional sins.<\/p>\n If an actor doesn\u2019t want to make a movie, that\u2019s fine, because they\u2019ll always have their reasons. In Redford\u2019s case, he rejected the lead in Air Force One after reading the script and believing the airborne action flick to be too cartoonish, opening the door for Harrison Ford<\/a> to headline another smash hit.<\/p>\n As one of the \u2018New Hollywood\u2019 era\u2019s most famous faces, he was one of the most in-demand names around, and since he was never really interested in being an A-lister, conquering the box office, or letting his wallet influence his decision-making in any way, the late legend was often a hard man to tie down.<\/p>\n However, on one occasion, he committed to a film, signed on the dotted line, let the ink dry, and embarked on his journey to the set for the first day of shooting, only to decide while he was in transit that he didn\u2019t want to do it anymore. He never reached his destination, and he faced the consequences.<\/p>\n Director Silvio Narizzano\u2019s 1968 western, Blue, wouldn\u2019t have pulled up any trees, with or without Redford. A fairly by-the-numbers oater, the story follows the title character, an American raised by a Mexican outlaw, who betrays the people he raised him when he falls for the daughter of a family that\u2019s fallen victim to his brethren\u2019s raiding parties across the border.<\/p>\n Initially, the Academy Award-winning director<\/a> and big-screen superstar was keen on the project, which goes without saying, since he\u2019d agreed to play the lead. On his way to Texas, though, Redford had a chance of heart, and without a moment\u2019s hesitation, backed out of the picture, throwing it into chaos.<\/p>\n \u201cI thought, \u2018Wait a minute, what am I coming out to shoot?’\u201d he recalled. \u201cI believed I was being jacked around. I wasn\u2019t getting the pages. They kept saying, \u2018Oh, these are green pages, we\u2019re trying to turn them into gold.’\u201d In Hollywood parlance, \u2018green\u2019 are pages that aren\u2019t quite in shooting shape, and \u2018gold\u2019 are the ones that are, and since there wasn\u2019t enough gold, he bailed.<\/p>\n Further reading: Cutting Room Floor<\/strong><\/p>\n Unsurprisingly, the studio didn\u2019t take too kindly to Redford quitting on the movie he was contracted to make while he was halfway through his train journey to get there to make it. Paramount sued him for breach of contract, and instead of taking things to the courtroom, a compromise was reached.<\/p>\n As a result, Redford was completely absent from the silver screen in \u201968, but he returned the following year in some style with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. His next two gigs afterwards, Downhill Racer and Little Fauss and Big Halsy<\/a>, were both Paramount pictures, with an arrangement made that, instead of being sued, he\u2019d atone for his sins through a couple of movies.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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