Kevin Costner was surprised to learn about the grounded reason that helped him to snub the role from Robin Williams in Field of Dreams.

In the history of cinema, there are a ton of films that have explored the multifaceted narratives revolving around family and forgiveness. However, none has done it like the American classic, Field of Dreams, featuring Kevin Costner in the limelight. One may ardently claim that it’s “another sports film about redemption.”

However, the intricate storytelling and the motif of chasing one’s dream with Costner in the lead role have made it a classic and a must-watch for movie connoisseurs. The Yellowstone actor did a phenomenal job of keeping the viewers’ eyes glued to the screens.

But to think that he was picked ahead of the legendary Robin Williams for the role of Ray Kinsella sounds unreal to the ears. Surprising as it may sound, that’s exactly what happened, and Costner explains the secret behind it.

Kevin Costner snubs Robin Williams for his career-defining film

There’s no denying that Robin Williams is one of the greatest actors of this generation, who could prove his acting range in any given genre. Be it comedy, drama, sci-fi, or fantasy, Williams would put on an Oscar-worthy performance, leaving a lasting impact in the minds of the viewers. Hence, even after his tragic demise in 2014, he still has a significant fan following around the globe, often watching his films in his remembrance.

A still from Dead Poets Society | Credits: Touchstone Pictures

He was at the peak of stardom in Hollywood, where every director wanted to make a film with him. However, such was not the case with Phil Alden Robinson, the director of the 1989 sports fantasy film, Field of Dreams, because he believed Kevin Costner was more fit for the role.

This notion raised a lot of eyebrows, but the director had a vision and explained how the role of the Iowa farmer, Ray Kinsella, was tailor-made for him. During an exclusive interview with GQ, Costner recollected how he went to ask Robinson about choosing him and not the Good Will Hunting actor. He asked,

There was an interesting thing ’cause Robin Williams, bless his heart, there was a moment when I asked the director, I said, ‘You know, Robin Williams is a big star, as big as you ever wanna get.’

Costner continued that the Sneakers director answered him that it was his grounded personality that made him more fitting for the emotional.

Kevin Costner as Ray Kinsella | Gordon Company

He feared that William’s witty personality would tone down the emotional resonance that centered around the film. He said,

So when he picked me to do it, kind of over Robin Williams, ’cause it seems like a natural for Robin Williams, and he said, ‘I’m pretty sure that Robin Williams hears voices in the corn. I’m kind of sure that you don’t. They’re gonna end up believing you, Kevin, because they’re gonna see how it works.’

The film was a massive hit, grossing $64.5 million at the box office via The Numbers. Consequently, it left a lasting impression on the minds of the viewers and critics, earning itself 3 Academy Award nominations at the 1990 Oscar ceremony. While Robinson questioned Robin Williams’ caliber in his film, in the same year, he chose to work in his career-defining film, Dead Poets Society.

The film was a massive hit, grossing $239.5 million at the box office via The Numbers; additionally, in the same year, his film was nominated in 4 categories at the Academy Awards and won the Best Original Screenplay category. Safe to say, things ended up beautifully for both actors.

Kevin Costner calls Field of Dreams a massive hit for a special reason

The 1989 film played a humongous role in Costner’s acting career in Hollywood, establishing him as one of the A-tier celebrities. One can see it as one of the biggest gambles in the history of cinema, where one decision could have changed the trajectory of both actors’ careers in the industry, and the Dances With Wolves actor acknowledged it to the world.

A still from the interview | GQ/YouTube

In the same interview with GQ, he mentioned that a good script is the foundation of a great film that makes an impact on the silver screen. He mentioned that the film had “gold dust all over it” because it moved him personally, which allowed him to showcase it to his audience. He said,

A good story requires a good script for it to somehow leap off the page and become a movie. That little movie had gold dust all over it, not in the way that I thought it would be a big hit, whereas gold dust on it in the way it moved me personally. And I think if I can be moved personally, I feel like in movie making, I can find a way to share that on a mass level.

He emphasized the first page of the script to be exceptionally sweet, and gradually it deviated away from an over-the-top plot and took its viewers on a journey of self-discovery.

Field of Dreams can be currently streamed on Netflix. Meanwhile, Dead Poets Society can be rented on Apple TV.