Burt Reynolds rejected Tom Cruise’s biggest role due to bruised ego

Paul Thomas Anderson’s Boogie Night earn Burt Reynolds his only Academy Award nomination. Despite the film’s critical acclaim and the way, it propelled both Paul Thomas Anderson, (PTA) and Mark Wahlberg to new heights, Reynolds did not look back on his experience fondly whether because of the subject matter or his working relationship with Anderson.

When offered a lead role in one of PTA’s subsequent best films, Tom Cruise’s Magnolia, Reynolds declined without hesitation, via The Guardian. His decision was reportedly tied to a bruised ego.

According to Grantland report, producer John Lyons recalled that the American actor felt he wasn’t being given the respect he deserved. Unlike PTA, who was a relatively new filmmaker at the time, Reynolds was an established veteran in Hollywood.

Reynolds later described his tension with PTA, saying the director was “young and full of himself.” The two clashed over Anderson’s meticulous approach.

As per GQ report the actor recalled, “every shot we did it was like the first time that shot had ever been done. I remember the first shot we did in Boogie Nights where I drive the car to Grauman’s theatre. After he said, Is not that amazing? And I named five pictures that had that same kind of shot.”

The conflict escalated to the point where fists were reportedly exchanged. Actor Tom Lenk said PTA was left shaken by Reynolds’ outburst.

Lyons later reflected that Anderson might have underestimated the veteran actor, sharing, "Paul bit off a little more than he could chew. Burt scared the sh*t out of him that day. I don’t think Paul was smirking. I think he was literally shaken by it."

Beyond the clashes over directing style, the film’s subject matter also contributed to Reynolds’ discomfort. Playing Jack Horner, a porn director and mentor to Wahlberg’s character, Reynolds was openly opposed to the adult film industry. 

He viewed it as “a one-way street for failed actors” and never warmed up to the film’s plot.

In fact, Reynolds confessed that he never even watched Boogie Nights after filming. Regarding any regrets about passing on Magnolia, a classic celebrated to this day, Reynolds made it clear he had no desire to work with PTA again after their first collaboration.

He said, "I’d done my picture with Paul Thomas Anderson, that was enough for me."

Though it’s unfortunate that Burt Reynolds and Paul Thomas Anderson never worked together again and it didn’t stop PTA from becoming one of the most respected directors in the industry.