“The Role Kevin Costner Took from Robin Williams: ‘Why Did You Wait for Me?'”

Kevin Costner vs. Robin Williams: The Role That Almost Went a Different Way

In Hollywood, the biggest names are always at the top of every casting list. That often means there’s a lot of crossover—and a fair bit of competition—when high-profile roles come up. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, few names carried more weight than Kevin Costner, and he often found himself circling the same projects as fellow box office titans like Harrison Ford and Mel Gibson.

Whenever studios began shaping up a film destined for mainstream success, Costner’s name was right there at the top—alongside Ford and Gibson, whose agents were often chasing the same scripts. Costner passed on The Hunt for Red October, as did Ford, before Alec Baldwin eventually stepped in. Ironically, Ford later took over Baldwin’s role as Jack Ryan in Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger, with the franchise eventually rebooting again for Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit.

Meanwhile, Gibson was once the top pick for Eliot Ness in The Untouchables, and he also turned down Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, reluctant to take on another period piece so soon after Hamlet. Both he and Ford also passed on Oliver Stone’s JFK, a role that ultimately went to Costner.

But one actor not typically seen in direct competition with Costner was Robin Williams. Their screen personas couldn’t have been more different—Costner, the grounded American everyman; Williams, the unpredictable comedic genius with a flair for improvisation. Yet surprisingly, they both came close to landing the same role in one of the most beloved films of the era.

When producers began casting Field of Dreams, they initially hesitated to approach Costner, unsure if he’d want to do another baseball film so soon after Bull Durham. Instead, they began talks with Robin Williams. While Williams was certainly intrigued, it was director Phil Alden Robinson who wasn’t convinced.

Costner later recalled his conversation with Robinson about nearly losing the part of Ray Kinsella. “There was an idea that maybe Robin Williams was going to do it, who I thought was sensational,” he said. “And when I finally asked Phil, I said, ‘Well, why did you wait for me? Because I think Robin’s really great.’ And he was like, ‘I do too.’”

But Robinson felt that Williams’ natural energy might not have suited the tone of the story. The film’s subtle magical realism—like hearing voices in a cornfield—required an actor who could make the unbelievable feel real without pushing it too far. “I think that Robin could hear voices in the corn,” Robinson told Costner, “but I needed a guy that you don’t believe is going to hear a voice in a cornfield.”

That insight shaped the entire feel of the film. And while Costner remains humble about his contribution—crediting Robinson for the film’s success—it’s undeniable that Field of Dreams became one of his most iconic roles.

In the end, things worked out remarkably well for everyone. Field of Dreams became a box office hit and a Best Picture nominee. Meanwhile, Williams starred in Dead Poets Society the same year, which also landed a Best Picture nomination and earned him a Best Actor nod.

Two legendary careers, one almost-shared role, and two timeless classics.