“Kevin Costner Was the Original Choice for Tom Hanks’ Role in Iconic Space Film”
Kevin Costner Almost Took Tom Hanks’ Role in Apollo 13
Kevin Costner was once considered for one of Tom Hanks’ most iconic roles — astronaut Jim Lovell in Apollo 13. At the time, Costner was a major box office draw, having starred in several blockbuster films throughout the 1990s, including Dances With Wolves, The Bodyguard, and Tin Cup. But he ultimately turned down the opportunity to lead what would become a modern classic.
A new oral history published by The Hollywood Reporter sheds light on the behind-the-scenes making of Apollo 13, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025 and is returning to theaters from September 19–25. The 1995 film dramatized NASA’s harrowing mission to save the crew of the ill-fated Apollo 13 after an onboard explosion derailed their trip to the moon.
One of the more surprising revelations from the feature involves director Ron Howard’s early casting ideas. According to Howard, the real Jim Lovell himself suggested Costner for the role:
“Kevin Costner looked a lot like Jim Lovell, and Jim Lovell said, ‘Do you think you could get Kevin Costner to play this part?’ It seemed like a good idea,” Howard said. “Costner was hot as a pistol at that moment and was somebody I was interested in working with. I never really knew why he wasn’t interested.”
In the end, the role went to Tom Hanks — and it may have been destiny. Howard noted that Hanks had long dreamed of playing an astronaut, and producer Brian Grazer shared that his deciding factor was: “Who does the world want to save the most?” The answer, for him, was Hanks.
More Behind-the-Scenes Stories from Apollo 13
The oral history is full of fascinating details. For example, Ron Howard’s brother, Clint Howard, intentionally picked the role of EECOM controller Sy Liebergot — a crucial part of Mission Control — to avoid getting cut from the film. “There is no way I’ll get left on the cutting room floor,” he reasoned.
Another fun anecdote: While the real Apollo 13 crisis unfolded, Ron Howard wasn’t watching the news — he was busy filming a guest appearance on Gunsmoke. And in a surprising moment during a test screening, a 23-year-old viewer — unaware of the historical mission — reportedly dismissed the film as “Hollywood bulls–t,” not realizing it was based on a true story.
Why Did Costner Turn It Down?
Ron Howard never received a clear answer about why Costner passed on Apollo 13. However, scheduling may have played a major role. In 1995, Costner was deeply involved in the ambitious production of Waterworld, serving not only as the star but also as a producer. The demanding shoot and post-production on that film could have conflicted with Howard’s project.
While Costner missed out on Apollo 13, he did eventually appear in a film about NASA — the 2016 Oscar-nominated Hidden Figures, where he played a fictional director at Langley Research Center supporting the efforts of Black women mathematicians during the Space Race.
