Eric Roberts has written a memoir that reveals an interesting anecdote regarding ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’ by Martin Scorsese
Eric Roberts, the Robert’s older brother, whose little sister is Julia Roberts, has led a less extravagant career than his sister’s where he has dedicated himself to making films basically intended to pay his bills.
But he has amply demonstrated that he is capable of being a great actor, as for example with his performance in Star 80, Bob Fosse’s latest film, or in The train from hell. With Christopher Nolan, he gave life to Salvatore Maroni in The Dark Knight.
At 68 years old, the actor has recently published his memoirs, Runaway Train: Or the Story of My Life So Far. In an excerpt posted by a user of Twitter/X, mentions an interesting anecdote. He thinks Martin Scorsese is still angry for refusing to play Jesus in The last temptation of Christ from 1988. A role that would finally be played by Willem Dafoe.
When Marty Scorsese asked me to audition for the role of Jesus in The Last Temptation of Christ, I thought, ‘This is my chance to break away from stereotypical roles and work with a master.’ We had five auditions and the most incredible screen test I’ve ever had with Harvey Keitel. Harvey is a particularly good actor for other actors to work with. Scorsese offered me the role, but, dear reader, on my manager’s advice, I turned it down.
The actor continues explaining the reason why he said no to one of the great directors in the history of cinema: “It’s hard to believe now, but at the time it made sense to me. Treusch [nota del editor: su agente] He explained that playing Jesus was a curse. I don’t know if he was right or wrong, but my refusal to take the role destroyed the relationship I could have had with Scorsese. The Last Temptation of Christ was his baby since he was a film student. He thought he had found his Jesus in me, so when I refused, he got angry and I don’t blame him.”
Eric Roberts’ agent was actually right about one thing and that is that the production of the film was very tense. In fact, it was quite a via crucis for the director, even before its release, since he was subject to pressure and unusual attacks of violence by fundamentalist Catholic circles.
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Paramount Pictures, which was initially going to produce the film, abandoned the project in open field, so filming was canceled in 1983. The film was not shot until four years later under the Universal Pictures roof on a much lower budget.
