John Turturro's Missed Opportunity: Reflecting on Turning Down a Role in Kubrick's 'Eyes Wide Shut
"Severance" has been a significant project for many of its cast members, marking a breakthrough in their careers after years of hard work in the entertainment industry. However, for John Turturro, who portrays Irving B. in the series, "Severance" is just another addition to his extensive and successful acting career. Turturro's journey began with a small role in Martin Scorsese's "Raging Bull" and has since seen him collaborate with renowned directors like William Friedkin, Robert Redford, Spike Lee, and the Coen brothers.
Despite his impressive resume, Turturro shared in an interview his regrets about missed opportunities to work with directors like Francis Ford Coppola and Quentin Tarantino. One of his deepest regrets was turning down a role in Stanley Kubrick's final film, "Eyes Wide Shut." Kubrick had personally reached out to Turturro and offered him a role in the movie, but a miscommunication led to Turturro missing out on the opportunity.
Kubrick had specifically written a role for Turturro in "Eyes Wide Shut," envisioning him as the piano player Nick Nightingale. However, Turturro's casual response during their conversation gave the impression that he was not interested in the part, ultimately leading to him losing the opportunity to work with the legendary director. Reflecting on the experience, Turturro expressed genuine regret for not recognizing Kubrick's expectations and dedication to his craft.
While Turturro acknowledges the intense filmmaking methods employed by Kubrick, he humorously wonders if he would have been able to withstand the director's meticulous approach, known for multiple takes and long production schedules. The filming of "Eyes Wide Shut" proved to be challenging for some actors, with Harvey Keitel eventually being replaced by Sydney Pollack due to the demanding nature of the project.