MovieChat Forums > The Natural (1984) Discussion > Redford miscast for lead role?

Redford miscast for lead role?


I didn't think he was compelling as a baseball player. I never bought him in the role.

At the time, does anyone know who else was considered for the part?

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I thought Redford did just fine.

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For anyone who doubts that Redford was convincing as a major league baseball player, I strongly suggest that you compare his swing to Joe Don Baker's.

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I thought Redford was great...
He was athletic enough to pass...
and he had the charisma to play the rest of the movie..

Like Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher...
supposedly in the books, Reacher is a 6'5" guy..
but for me...Cruise brings his own style..
and does a great job.

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I completely disagree. I think this just about the most perfect casting choice ever.

WRT his 'age'. If you look at a LOT of pro athletes back in the day, when they were 35 they looked 50. Athletes really aged early up until quite recently. So to me, the fact that he looks so beat up, was -very- believable.



Why? I came into this game for the action, the excitement... Listen, kid, we're all in it together.

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Though I do agree he was too old for the young parts of the film I think he worked well for the mid to end.

The funny thing is the home runs were really Redford hitting batting practice. A previous poster noted he was a very good college player. Charlie Sheen is the only other name actor that I know was a good baseball player but no one knew him for baseball before his acting career.

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