Kyle MacLachlan missed out on cinematic classics
Kyle MacLachlan has a resume filled with iconic cinematic appearances, from the psychedelic landscapes of Dune and the dark allure of Blue Velvet to his memorable roles in Twin Peaks and Fallout. Yet, as he looks back on his highly successful career, the actor reveals that there were major Hollywood opportunities in the 1980s that slipped through his fingers.
In his new memoir, Fictional Selves, MacLachlan details how he was considered for several defining roles of the decade, including spots in Oliver Stone’s Platoon, Tony Scott’s Top Gun, and Steven Soderbergh’s Sex, Lies and Videotape. He also recounts being initially cast in Some Kind of Wonderful before being passed over for the lead.
The missed chances, MacLachlan admits, still carry a certain sting, particularly when the films they belong to achieved massive critical and commercial success. He recalls being the top choice for the lead in Platoon, a gritty Vietnam War drama where he was meant to portray Chris Taylor. Despite the offer, and after concerns about the film’s ending, he ultimately chose to pass on the role, which went to Charlie Sheen.
“I kick myself, having missed a chance to be in something so zeitgeist-defining,” he wrote. “But I can’t dwell on what could’ve been. It would simply take too much out of me.”
Another significant opportunity involved the blockbuster Top Gun. MacLachlan auditioned for the role of Goose, Maverick’s best friend, but quickly realized the character wasn’t him. He noted the disconnect, recalling that he felt he wasn’t suited for the role of the cool fighter pilot, unlike other actors he had considered.
Similarly, when approached for the lead in the acclaimed independent drama Sex, Lies and Videotape, MacLachlan hesitated. Having recently starred in the dark and challenging Blue Velvet, he felt reluctant to take on another intensely difficult narrative. He ultimately passed on the role, reflecting on the decision with a simple acknowledgement: Live and learn.
While those missed leads offered tantalizing glimpses into a different filmography, MacLachlan’s career eventually found its footing. As the 1980s closed, he felt a temporary slump, but his trajectory shifted when he landed the groundbreaking role of FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper in Twin Peaks. This iconic performance provided him with a signature role that became the cornerstone of his enduring career.
Looking back, MacLachlan has learned that professional disappointments are just as valuable as successes in shaping an artist’s journey. He concludes that wisdom comes from understanding that just like his successes, his failures have forged the man he is today.
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