10 Actors Who Got Paid To NOT Star In Movies

Werner Herzog’s epic Fitzcarraldo is still regard today as a masterpiece of filmmaking that’s almost transcendent in nature, despite having a production that was nothing short of a nightmare.

A story about a rubber tycoon who hauls a steamboat over a steep hill, the film was originally slated to star Jason Robards as the titular Fitzcarraldo (Brian Fitzgerald), and Mick Jagger from The Rolling Stones as his sidekick, Wilbur.

However, Robards got sick and replaced with the difficult Klaus Kinski, and Jagger’s role was cut entirely.

Whilst Robards got amoebic dysentery which put him out of action for a long time, Jagger couldn’t return to filming because of the Stones’ 1981 American tour.

As a result, Herzog had to rewrite the film entirely. He cut the character of Wilbur and changed the role of Fitzcarraldo to suit Klaus Kinski's acting style. Despite how the two of them fought on every previous production before then, Herzog knew he would be the only actor he could get on such short notice.

Apparently, Jagger was very enthusiastic about his role. There is some footage that still exists today showing Jagger starring alongside Robards delivering a very different performance than that of Kinski. Jagger and Robards were more laid back whilst Kinski was incredibly intense.

However, Robards and Jagger were still well-compensated for their time.