In the ‘90s, Home Alone star, Macaulay Culkin, had the world at his feet. Surprisingly, he retired after the 1994 movie, Richie Rich, citing burnout and the desire to live a normal life. As has been the case with many other actors, the retirement wasn’t permanent. Culkin resurfaced in the 2000s, stringing together a few supporting roles. However, he struggled to find the success he had in the previous decade. Thankfully, the 2010s and 2020s have been kinder to him as he has starred in critically acclaimed productions like Changeland and American Horror Story: Double Feature.
Culkin also came close to getting numerous other roles. For some, it was a case of him not being enthusiastic about the project, while for others, it was a case of the casting team not being enthusiastic about him. Still, fans remain hopeful about him having a proper comeback. Another Home Alone sequel would be great. After all, we are in an age where sequels happen after more than decades. Kevin McCallister as a parent? Critics might not love it, but audiences would pay money to see it.
Here are 5 movie and tv roles we know for a fact Macaulay Culkin either turned down or didn’t get.
5
Max Fischer
‘Rushmore’ (1998)
Wes Anderson’s ‘90s hit about two high schoolers competing for a teacher’s heart hasn’t aged well, but it made Jason Schwartzman a star. Max Fischer was undoubtedly a fun character and the role would have been played by Macaulay Culkin, according to his revelation on a Reddit AMA.
“I was sent the script to Rushmore. I was still retired then. That’s a perfect movie.”
We can certainly see Culkin as Fischer.
The Timing Wasn’t Right
Of all the great child actors of the ‘90s, none was better at interacting with adults than Macaulay Culkin. Max Fischer was the perfect role for him, but the timing just wasn’t right. For starters, he was in a self-imposed retirement at the time. At the time, Anderson also wasn’t the hot-shot director that actors were eager to work with. He had only made Bottle Rocket, which had made less than a million at the box office.
Casting Max was a nightmare for Anderson, and he almost didn’t make the movie. He was only introduced to Jason Schwartzman a month before filming, and, according to him, the young actor didn’t match the original image he had in mind. He took a chance anyway and the rest is history.
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4
Unnamed Character
“The Big Bang Theory’ (2007 – 2019)
When Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady came up with the idea of creating a sitcom about high-IQ friends, Macaulay Culkin was eyed as one of the potential stars. During a sitdown on The Joe Rogan Experience, Culkin revealed that he had been begged to star in The Big Bang Theory, but he said no.
“They pursued me for The Big Bang Theory. And I said no. It was kind of like, the way the pitch was, ‘Alright, these two astrophysicist nerds and a pretty girl lives with them. Yoinks!’ That was the pitch. They were like, ‘We’ll get some real physicists to do the math,’ but I was like, ‘Yeah, I’m cool, thanks.’ And then they came back at me again, and I said, ‘No, no, no. Again, flattered, but no.’ Then they came back at me again, and even my manager was like twisting my arm.”
Just like that, the opportunity flew away.
‘The Big Bang Theory’ Would Have Been a Game Changer for Culkin
Culkin couldn’t see it, but The Big Bang Theory could have been a game-changer for him. Playing clever characters is what he does best, and the sitcom’s characters are known for always flexing their IQ.
Well, the actor recognizes that he made a mistake, moneywise, but admits that he wouldn’t have been happy if he had taken the role.
“I’d have hundreds of millions of dollars right now if I did that gig. But at the same time, I’d be bashing my head against the wall.”
He has every reason to feel a little regretful, since the key cast members were all making about a million an episode by Season 8. But would the show have been successful with Culkin in it? Casting him might have come with its problems, as viewers could have focused more on him than the science and the humor.
3
Unnamed Character
‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’ (2019)
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood is quite the star-studded affair, featuring actors like Al Pacino and Damian Lewis in supporting roles. Macaulay Culkin would also have been part of Quentin Tarantino’s love letter to Hollywood, but the audition didn’t go well.
Speaking to Esquire, Culkin said:
““It was a disaster. I wouldn’t have hired me. I’m terrible at auditioning anyway, and this was my first audition in like eight years.”
His fans won’t be happy to hear that.
Culkin Needed the Movie
It’s a shame that Culkin didn’t get the part, considering that Quentin Tarantino is known for reviving careers. He famously brought Bruce Willis and John Travolta back home with Pulp Fiction. He also made Jamie Foxx a big deal again after casting him in Django Unchained. The late 2000s hadn’t been so kind to the actor.
In line with that, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood might have given Culkin the boost he needed. But his honesty is admirable. For most of his life, he never had to audition. Had he been cast, this would have been his first role in a major studio movie since the satirical comedy Saved.
2
D.J. Conner
‘Roseanne’ (1988-2018)
During an interview with SiriusXM, the cast of the Roseanne revival sat down with Sandra Bernhardt — who portrayed Roseanne and Jackie’s longtime lesbian friend Nancy Bartlett — and opened up about what it was like working together again. A surprising revelation came from D.J. Conner actor, Michael Fishman, who disclosed he wouldn’t have gotten the part back in the ‘80s ABC had gotten their way.
“Roseanne Barr wanted me, and the network wanted Macaulay Culkin,”.
Quite the surprise choice, considering Culkin wasn’t a major star yet
‘Roseanne’ Might Have Ruined Culkin’s Career
If Macaulay Culkin had landed the part, he likely would have been tied to TV duties for the rest of his career, making him unable to play Kevin McCallister. Consequently, he’d be less famous than he is today. Would he be happier? On a positive note, he might not have gotten overwhelmed to the point of wanting to quit acting. Still, it’s hard to think of Home Alone without Culkin.
1
Jack Dawson
‘Titanic’ (1997)
Culkin was among the numerous talented actors considered for the role of Jack Dawson in James Cameron’s Titanic, others being Johnny Depp, Matthew McConaughey, and Brad Pitt. James Cameron also considered Jared Leto for the role, but the actor refused to audition. Big mistake? The role would ultimately go to Leonardo DiCaprio, turning him into one of the world’s biggest stars.
Culkin Was Too Young for the Role
Culkin was considered too young for the role of Jack. The Home Alone star was only 15 when production started, yet Jack is 20 in the movie. Having such a young actor do sex scenes would have triggered a backlash. Interestingly, many actors, including Matthew McConaughey, Billy Crudup, Chris O’Donnell, and Stephen Dorff, were rejected by Cameron for being too old for the part.