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Sam Neill On The Roles That Got Away

By Stacey Cole
Published on: 22:27 PST, Jun 11, 2016

Sam Neill is a versatile actor who has had a glorious career spanning more than four decades. His most recent film Hunt for the Wilderpeople has broken New Zealand box office records. Community News reports that the Kiwi adventure comedy movie has won many accolades due to its humorous characters and hilarious theme.

Sam plays the role of the grumpy Hector Faulkner who is on the run from the authorities, along with his adopted son, due to little more than a misunderstanding. Their journey is depicted in such a farcical fashion that even the critics have admitted that they were rolling with laughter while watching the movie. However, despite the critical judgment, Sam Neill does not find the movie funny. Instead, the Jurassic Park star spoke about how the movie brought to light the serious issue of the marginalization of abandoned children.

“I think it has more resonance because it has very serious undertones.”

In other news, Sam Neill and Hugo Weaving starred together in the 1995 drama Little Fish, and now the two have reunited to celebrate good news at the Sydney Film Festival, according to the Daily Mail.

Sam Neill and his former co-star were all smiles after hearing the news that the New South Wales government has launched a $20 million fund with the aim of encouraging international and Australian producers to film in Sydney and the rest of New South Wales. The announcement is good news indeed, as it is estimated that the $20 million fund could bring in $300 million and thousands of jobs to that area of Australia.

Looking back at his fantastic career, Sam Neill contemplates two opportunities that he turned out. The veteran actor revealed that he regrets turning down the role in the 1994 Australian hit Priscilla: Queen of the Desert. The character that Sam was supposed to play was that of Bernadette Bassinger, a bereaved transgender woman. Sam read the script and turned down the role, and the role eventually went to Terence Stamp, who played his part beautifully. According to News Australia, Sam Neill expressed regret that he could not be part of the film that turned out to be a wonderful Australian classic and received predominantly positive reviews.

The second opportunity dodged by Sam Neill was the replacement of Roger Moore for the role of James Bond. However, Sam was more than happy to refuse to audition for the role as he never imagined himself as James Bond, and he did not want to get associated with the 007 franchise. Additionally, he felt uneasy with the idea of playing a macho character who would gladly undress for a love scene. The New Zealand Herald reports that Sam Neill has joined the league of extraordinary celebrities like Tim Allen, Abba, Adele and Jerry Seinfield who turned down lucrative projects which did not appeal to them.

In fact, it was announced by Stuff that Pierce Brosnan will step into a role that was originally intended for Sam Neill. Back in March, it was announced that Sam Neill would play the role of Eli McCullough, a Texan who was kidnapped as a young child and raised by a Native American tribe, in AMC drama The Son, based on Philipp Meyer’s similarly-named book. Citing only “personal reasons,” Sam Neill pulled out of the role, and Pierce Brosnan willingly stepped in.

Birmingham Mail reported that Sam Neill became poignant and emotional when he learned that his Peaky Blinders character, Major Chester Campbell, was going to be killed off in the gangster family epic.

Sam Neill’s character was shot at close range amidst the cheering and shouting at the Derby Day races. Sam Neill also passionately defends the production team and laughs off any controversy that may be surrounding his role. Junkee reported that Sam used the Logie Award ceremony as a platform to taunt Gina Rinehart; the mining magnate who is in the process of suing Channel Nine for misrepresenting her and her family in House of Hancock.

The television show features Sam Neill playing the role of Lang Hancock; the Australian iron ore magnate. While presenting the Most Outstanding Drama award, Sam commented that Gina had flown him to the Logies in a plane that she herself had welded. Sam revealed that he found Gina’s allegation nothing more than a thriller which is not to be taken seriously.

Having performed in various types of films and television roles in a period that spanned more than 40 years, Sam Neil is refusing to hang up his boots. In fact, apart from showbiz, the versatile actor has also dabbled in the wine-making business. And he enthusiastically confesses his desire to work in a western movie or television series as he has never played a cowboy character before.

[Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images for BFI]

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