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Hollywood star Willem Dafoe is one of the actors who is often seen playing a villain on screen, one of which also includes the role of Green Goblin inSpider-Man.However, despite often being cast as the story’s antagonist, the actor has showcased his versatility in several movies, whether it’s playing a mentor to John Wick and Aquaman or the kindly manager inThe Florida Project.
One such movie also includes the 1988 filmThe Last Temptation of Christ, in which he played the role of Jesus. However, the actor later shared that he was taken aback by Sergio Leone’s remarks about him after he starred in Martin Scorsese’s epic religious drama film.
Read More:Martin Scorsese Learned His Lesson After His Controversially Condemned 1988 Film Starring Willem Dafoe, Later Tested It on Liam Neeson’s Movie
Sergio Leone’s Critical Remark on Willem Dafoe Playing Jesus
Willem Dafoestarred in the lead role of Jesus inMartin Scorsese’s1988 filmThe Last Temptation Of Christ. Based on Nikos Kazantzakis’s controversial novel of the same name, the movie features one of the best performances of the actor.
The director of the film took a more down-to-earth approach to the story, portraying Jesus as a character who also struggled with human flaws. While it received positive reviews from critics, the movie was also surrounded by several controversies.
One of the reasons the movie reportedly received backlash was also Dafoe’s casting. And it appears that the Italian filmmakerSergio Leonealso believed the same, as he once told the actor,“That is the face of a murderer, not of Our Lord,”as perIMDb.
While Leone’s remark seemed rude, it could also be considered foreseen, as Dafoe is known for playing the antagonist in several films. The actor has the perfect voice, body language, and expressions to play a villain, and he has given incredible performances as one in movies likeThe Lighthouse, Wild At Heart,andSpider-Man.
Read More:“He had me on the ground cracking up”: Never in a Million Years Jamie Foxx Thought He Would See a Completely Different Side of Willem Dafoe During Spider-Man: No Way Home
Martin Scorsese Spent Years Working onThe Last Temptation of Christ
The Last Temptation of Christwas surrounded by controversies since the very beginning. Martin Scorsese shared during an interview that he received a copy of Nikos Kazantzakis’s novel in 1972 through actress Barbara Hershey.
However, it took him six years to finish the book.“I’d pick it up, put it down, reread it, be enveloped by the beautiful language of it,”he toldFilm Comment. Once he finished the book, screenwriter Paul Schrader started working on its script.
The filmmaker first pitched the movie to Paramount, and the production was expected to start in 1983, with Aidan Quin reportedly cast in the lead role. However, it was canceled due to the backlash and protests from religious groups. Later, Universal Pictures expressed their interest in producing the movie with one condition.
As perIMDb, they wanted the filmmaker to make a commercial film with the studio after the 1988 film. Scorsese agreed to their terms and made the film with a budget of $7 million and made the 1991 psychological thrillerCape Fearas per his deal with Universal Pictures.
The Last Temptation of Christis available on Prime Video.
Read More:“How can you not be happy about it?”: Jamie Foxx Cried on Spider-Man: No Way Home Set Watching Tobey Maguire, Willem Dafoe and Other Great Actors
Laxmi Rajput
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3448
Laxmi Rajput is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, with over 3,300 articles published covering film, TV, and pop culture. With a degree in Broadcast Journalism and over three years of experience in content writing, she pivoted to entertainment journalism because let’s be honest, superheroes, sitcoms, and Netflix binges are way more fun. Laxmi frequently covers Marvel, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and popular TV shows, offering both fan-first enthusiasm and thoughtful analysis. Her work often dives into Marvel theories, revisits the genius of The Big Bang Theory, or unpacks the Netflix phenomenon of Stranger Things.
