“They Thought I Was Stubborn”: Kevin Costner Reflects on Missed Opportunity

Actors of a similar age—especially major stars—often find themselves competing for the same high-profile roles. This overlap has created some interesting intersections in Hollywood history, one of the most notable being between Kevin Costner and Harrison Ford.

Though Ford launched his career earlier, both he and Costner dominated the 1980s and early 1990s as leading men, often ending up in conversations for the same projects. In some cases, their names became practically interchangeable in studio pitch meetings.

One of the most famous examples is Air Force One. The role of President James Marshall was originally written with Kevin Costner in mind. However, he chose to focus on Waterworld instead, paving the way for Ford to step in and deliver one of the biggest box office hits of his career—outside of Star Wars and Indiana Jones.

Their careers have crossed paths multiple times. Costner’s film Dragonfly featured a role that was first offered to Ford. Likewise, Costner passed on playing Jim Garrison in Oliver Stone’s JFK—a role that became iconic for another actor. He was also on the shortlist for the lead in The Fugitive, a role that ultimately went to Ford.

Their connection even extends into television. In recent years, Ford joined the Yellowstone universe as the great-great-granduncle of Costner’s John Dutton—bringing their careers full circle in an unexpected way.

The Jack Ryan franchise further ties them together. Costner was first approached to star in The Hunt for Red October, but he turned it down. After Ford also declined, the role went to Alec Baldwin—who was later replaced by Ford in Patriot Games and Clear and Present Danger. When the series was rebooted with Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, Costner finally joined the franchise, this time in a supporting role as Thomas Harper.

Costner has since spoken candidly about why he passed on Red October. Despite being offered more money than he’d ever seen, he chose instead to focus on his passion project and directorial debut, Dances with Wolves.

“I would have done Red October. I wanted to do it, but I had postponed Dances with Wolves for a year, and I was suddenly going to make it,” he explained. “They offered me more money than I had ever seen, and I think they thought I was just stubborn. But I wasn’t! ‘No’ didn’t mean ‘More money!’—it meant that I couldn’t do it. I had given my word on Dances with Wolves.”

While Costner admits he “would have loved to have done Red October,” he ultimately stuck to his creative instincts. The decision clearly paid off—Dances with Wolves won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. Though Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit didn’t make waves, it marked a symbolic return to a role he once passed up, bringing a fascinating chapter in his career full circle.