Netflix Features a Hidden Kevin Costner Classic Over Robin Williams: “Bless His Heart”
Kevin Costner Reveals the Surprising Reason He Was Chosen Over Robin Williams for Field of Dreams
In cinema history, countless films have explored themes of family and forgiveness, but few have done it with the emotional depth and charm of the American classic Field of Dreams. Starring Kevin Costner in a defining role, this film goes beyond being “just another sports redemption story.” Its heartfelt storytelling and Costner’s captivating performance have cemented it as a must-watch for movie lovers.
What many might find surprising is that Kevin Costner was cast over the legendary Robin Williams for the lead role of Ray Kinsella. It sounds almost unbelievable, but that’s exactly what happened—and Costner has shared the grounded reason behind this choice.
Why Kevin Costner Snubbed Robin Williams for Field of Dreams
Robin Williams was, without question, one of the most versatile and beloved actors of his time. From comedy to drama to fantasy, Williams could deliver performances that touched audiences deeply. At the peak of his career, he was Hollywood’s go-to star, with every director eager to work with him.
However, Field of Dreams director Phil Alden Robinson had a different vision. He believed Kevin Costner was the perfect fit for the role of Ray Kinsella, the Iowa farmer chasing a dream. This decision raised eyebrows, but Robinson was convinced that Costner’s grounded and sincere personality was key to the film’s emotional impact.
Costner recalls asking Robinson about the choice, wondering why he was selected over Williams. He said,
“There was an interesting thing ’cause Robin Williams, bless his heart… I asked the director, ‘You know, Robin Williams is a big star, as big as you ever wanna get.’”
Robinson’s response was revealing:
“He said, ‘It was your grounded personality that made you more fitting. I’m pretty sure Robin Williams hears voices in the corn, but I’m kind of sure you don’t. They’re gonna end up believing you, Kevin, because they’re gonna see how it works.’”
That grounded, believable quality helped make Field of Dreams a massive success, grossing $64.5 million at the box office and earning three Academy Award nominations at the 1990 Oscars.
Interestingly, while Robinson had doubts about casting Williams in Field of Dreams, he worked with him the same year on Dead Poets Society—a film that became a career-defining success for Williams, grossing $239.5 million and winning an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.
What Field of Dreams Meant to Kevin Costner
For Costner, Field of Dreams wasn’t just another film—it was a turning point in his career that established him as a leading man in Hollywood. He has often spoken about the importance of a strong script as the foundation for a great movie.
Costner described the script for Field of Dreams as having “gold dust all over it,” not because he expected a big box office hit, but because the story moved him deeply on a personal level. He explained:
“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, but in the way it moved me personally. If I can be moved personally, I feel like in moviemaking, I can find a way to share that on a mass level.”
He praised the script’s opening as “exceptionally sweet,” noting how the story avoided melodrama and instead took viewers on a heartfelt journey of self-discovery.
