In the late 1980s and early 1990s, a truly epic cinematic vision was taking shape—a potential action-packed adaptation of the DC comic book character Sgt. Rock. The project involved big names like Arnold Schwarzenegger, director John McTiernan, and writer Shane Black, all aiming to create something monumental. But this grand endeavor faced an unlikely and highly amusing demolition, courtesy of Monty Python’s John Cleese.
The initial blueprint for the film involved adapting the classic Danny Kaye comedy Imitation General. The concept envisioned a WWII-era epic where Schwarzenegger’s Sgt. Rock—reimagined as a German refugee—would lead an unlikely force. Into this picture, John Cleese was brought on board to play an English cook posing as a general. The team anticipated an action spectacle, but the inclusion of Cleese brought a complication.
The friction began almost immediately in the development process. While McTiernan and the others saw potential for an action film, Cleese reportedly viewed the project through a very different lens. In one meeting, he famously remarked that while they were all action-movie makers, he considered them merely “a couple thug American action-movie makers.” This sentiment clearly signaled that his involvement was not purely celebratory.
The tension reached its peak when it became clear that the vision of having Schwarzenegger and Cleese co-starring in this epic narrative was essential to the project’s core. Unfortunately, that desired dynamic vanished when John Cleese passed away, causing the entire production to stall.
Ultimately, the cinematic universe continued along its own highly unpredictable path. Arnold Schwarzenegger pursued his own high-octane adventure with Total Recall, while John McTiernan steered his focus toward the intense espionage of The Hunt for Red October. Though some reunion attempts occurred—like in Last Action Hero—the resulting films offered mixed results. McTiernan bounced back successfully with Die Hard With A Vengeance>, but later career choices led to less fortunate outcomes, including the remake of Rollerball and subsequent legal issues.
Looking back at Cleese’s filmography reveals a curious shift. Following his work on comedy classics like A Fish Called Wanda, he seemed intent on exploring different creative avenues. He gravitated toward roles in serious dramas, notably his performance in Kenneth Branagh’s Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, suggesting a desire to move beyond the action genre and seek depth. Perhaps, in retrospect, letting the Sgt. Rock project remain unmade was the best course of action for everyone involved.
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Credit: JoBlo
