Paul Thomas Anderson‘s Boogie Nights earned Burt Reynolds his lone Academy Award nod. However, despite the movie’s critical success, which launched PTA and Mark Wahlberg into new heights, Reynolds didn’t harbor many fond memories from his time on the comedy drama, whether it was the subject matter or his experience working with PTA.
As a result, when he was offered to lead one of PTA’s best movies to date, Tom Cruise’s Magnolia, the City Heat star, without any hesitation, turned down the offer (via The Guardian).
Tensions Were Palpable Between Burt Reynolds and PTA During Boogie Nights
According to reports, Reynolds’ reported crash out on set was a result of a bruised ego. Producer John Lyons recalled that Reynolds, at the time, felt he wasn’t getting the respect he commanded (via Grantland) because, as opposed to PTA, a newbie filmmaker at the time, Reynolds was an established veteran.
Weighing on their reported feud, Reynolds later claimed that PTA was “young and full himself”, with the duo even clashing over PTA’s adherence to each frame, with Reynolds claiming (via GQ):
Every shot we did, it was like the first time [that shot had ever been done]. I remember the first shot we did in Boogie Nights, where I drive the car to Grauman’s Theater. After he said, ‘Isn’t that amazing?’ And I named five pictures that had that same kind of shot
Things further escalated to the point of even some exchange of fists, with actor Tom Lenk claiming PTA was left shaken by the veteran’s outburst. Later reflecting on it, Lyons shared that PTA might’ve bit off more than he could chew, stressing that the exchange did leave the young auteur startled (via Grantland).
Paul bit off a little more than he could chew. Burt scared the sh*t out of him that day. I don’t think Paul was smirking. I think he was literally shaken by it.
In addition to his distaste for PTA’s approach to directing, the movie’s subject matter might’ve further worsened the situation for Reynolds.
Burt Reynolds Wasn’t Fond of Boogie Nights‘ Subject Matter
In the movie, Reynolds plays Jack Horner, a p-rn director and mentor to Mark Wahlberg’s Dirk Diggler. Considering the movie delves into the life of actors working in the adult industry, Reynolds, who was vehemently against the adult industry, wasn’t exactly a fan of the movie’s plot.
Following his hatred for the adult industry, which he deemed a one-way street for failed actors, Reynolds confessed that he never came around to watch the movie. As for his potential regrets regarding not starring in Magnolia, a classic that is celebrated to this day, Reynolds clarified he had no intentions to join forces with PTA after Boogie Nights (The Guardian)
I’d done my picture with Paul Thomas Anderson, that was enough for me,
While it’s a shame the duo never crossed paths again, this didn’t stop PTA from excelling as a director, cementing himself as one of the best in the business.
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Boogie Nights is available to stream on Paramount+ (US).
