Why Kevin Costner Has No Regrets About Passing on a Hollywood Classic

In Hollywood, stars rise and fall as predictably as night turns to day. For every breakout sensation, another once-bright name fades into the background. But in 1994, no one shone brighter than Kevin Costner. He was the biggest movie star in the world—and everyone wanted him.

Since his breakout role in 1987’s The Untouchables, Costner had spent nearly a decade dominating both the box office and the hearts of critics. With hits like Bull Durham, Field of Dreams, Dances with Wolves, JFK, and The Bodyguard, he carved out a screen persona defined by integrity, quiet strength, and unwavering moral compass. He was the everyman hero audiences believed in.

So when casting began for The Shawshank Redemption, it made perfect sense that Costner was considered for the role of Andy Dufresne—the wrongfully convicted banker whose quiet resilience and unshakable hope eventually set him free. Andy’s core belief—that hope can survive even the darkest circumstances—stood in direct contrast to the cynicism of Red and the authoritarian cruelty of the Warden. Few actors could embody that kind of quiet, determined optimism the way Costner could.

After all, this was the man who plowed his cornfields under in Field of Dreams to chase a mysterious voice, stood up to corruption in JFK, and put his life on the line to protect a pop star in The Bodyguard. Costner didn’t just play roles—he radiated conviction.

But there was a problem.

At the time, Costner was neck-deep in the troubled production of his own passion project: Waterworld. What started as an ambitious post-apocalyptic adventure quickly spiraled into one of the most expensive and complicated productions in Hollywood history. As producer and star, Costner was working grueling hours, trying to keep the film afloat both financially and creatively.

So when the offer for The Shawshank Redemption came in, Costner simply couldn’t step away. As much as the role intrigued him, his commitment to Waterworld meant he had to turn it down. The film’s own production woes didn’t allow for any delays—so the studio moved on.

The role eventually went to Tim Robbins, who delivered an iconic performance that helped cement Shawshank as one of the most beloved films of all time. Interestingly, before Robbins, Tom Cruise had expressed interest and even took part in early table reads. But creative clashes with director Frank Darabont led Cruise to step away—opening the door for Robbins, who had previously starred alongside Costner in Bull Durham.

Surprisingly, Costner never looked back with regret. While Waterworld was often mocked for its bloated budget and behind-the-scenes chaos, it eventually recouped its $170 million cost and turned a profit over time, especially through international markets and home video. Costner walked away financially secure and still proud of the effort he put in.

If there’s one movie he does admit to regretting, it’s not Shawshank—it’s Platoon. Costner passed on the role due to concerns about how Vietnam veterans were being portrayed in film, particularly in light of his brother Dan’s own military service. “The one role that I regret refusing,” he later said, “was Platoon. My brother Dan was a Marine in Vietnam and had a problem with Vietnam movies that show vets as wigged-out guys. He’s very proud that he came back, went to college, and has a family. In fact, Platoon was real and right. But my consciousness was with my brother.”

So while Kevin Costner may have missed out on The Shawshank Redemption, he doesn’t carry any baggage about it. In a career built on conviction and integrity, his choices—right or wrong—were always his own.