WhenPulp Fictionhit theaters in the fall of 1994, it wasn’t only an instant hit, but it kickstartedSamuel L. Jackson’s career, while revivingJohn Travolta’s fading career. Both actors earned Oscar nominations for their portrayals of assassins Vic Vega and Jules Winnfield. Today we have new details that revealJohn Travoltamay have not even taken on the role, had he listened to some advice from a high-ranking member of the Church of Scientology, which he has belonged to for over 40 years.
During the latest episode ofA&E’s new documentary seriesLeah Remini: Scientology and the Aftermath, the actress hosted a Q&A session with former ScientologistMike Rinder, who revealed thatJohn Travoltaasked him to reviewQuentin Tarantino’s screenplay forPulp Fiction, before he agreed to take on the role of Vic Vega. If the actor would have listened to his advice, the movie may have been so much different, sinceMike Rindertold the actor he should turn down this role. But fortunately, he didn’t. Here’s whatMike Rinderhad to say on last week’s episode ofLeah Reimini: Scientology and the Aftermath, when asked how Scientology plays a role in the lives of its celebrity members.
“I’ve got a story about this that I’m not sure I should really tell. When Quentin Tarantino approached John Travolta for a role inPulp Fiction, John asked me to review the script to tell him what I thought, and his role was aheroin-addict assassin, and I said, ‘Oh, John, I don’t think that you should do this.’ What great career advice; I should be an agent. Sensibly, he ignored me.”
There were a number of other high-profile actors in consideration for the Vic Vega role, with a 2013 book revealing thatHarvey Weinsteininsisted thatDaniel Day-Lewisplay Vic Vega, with the producer also suggestingSean PennorWilliam Hurtas viable options.Quentin Tarantinoreportedly threatened to leave the project altogether if they didn’t castJohn Travolta. Of course, everything worked out in the end, withPulp Fictionbecoming the first independent film to earn more than $200 million worldwide, from an $8 million budget.
John Travoltastill remains one of Scientology’s most prominent members, and it seems there was no significant backlash to the actor taking on this role inPulp Fiction, against the advice of Church of Scientology. The role did wonders for his career, paving the way for his comeback, which was almost derailed, ironically, by the Church of Scientology itself. The actor starred in and produced a big-budget adaptation of Scientology creatorL. Ron Hubbard’s novel Battlefield Earth, which earned just $29 million worldwide from a $73 million budget, and is still considered one of the biggest box office bombs of all time. The actor is currently in the midst of another comeback of sorts, receiving Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for portrayingRobert Shapiroon FX’sPeople vs. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story.
