Reservoir Dogs is a 1992 gangster drama film directed by first-time director Quentin Tarantino and starring Harvey Keitel, Tim Roth, Michael Madsen, Tarantino, Steve Buscemi, Chris Penn, and Lawrence Tierny.
Considered for roles[]
Mr. Pink, played by Steve Buscemi
- Vincent Gallo: Turned down the role.
- Michael Madsen: Auditioned for the part.
- Quentin Tarantino: He originally wrote the role for himself.
Mr. White, played by Harvey Keitel
- Steve Buscemi: He originally auditioned for this role.
Mr. Blonde, played by Michael Madsen
- George Clooney: He read for the part, but was turned down.
- Christopher Walken: Refused the role.
Mr. Orange, played by Tim Roth
- Samuel L. Jackson: Auditioned for the part.
- James Woods: See "Miscellaneous".
Nice Guy Eddie Cabot, played by Chris Penn
- Lawrence Bender: Originally cast in the role.
- Seymour Cassel: Auditioned for the part.
Joe Cabot, played by Lawrence Tierny
- Steve Buscemi: Auditioned for the part.
- Timothy Carey: Auditioned for the part; the film was dedicated to his memory.
- Robert Forster: Auditioned for the part.
Miscellaneous
- David Duchovney: Auditioned for a part.
- James Woods: Tarantino really wanted the actor in his film, and made him five different cash offers. His agent refused these offers without Woods' knowledge, as the salaries were lower than the actor's usual salaries. When Woods and Tarantino met for the first time, the actor learned of the incident and got a new agent. Though the actual role he was considered for is not known, it is widely accepted that the role might have been Mr. Orange
Considered for director[]
- Monte Hellman: He was originally tapped for the role of director as Tarantino was a complete unknown. When Tarantino sold his screenplay for True Romance for $50,000, Hellman lobbied hard to direct that film instead. He ended up being executive producer.
- Tony Scott: He wanted the scripts for this film and True Romance, and wanted to direct Reservoir Dogs. Tarantino gave him True Romance but not the other, as he wanted to direct it himself.