The role Gene Hackman didn’t think he was good enough for

William Friedkin is one of the most influential directors in the New Hollywood movement, known for terrifying classics such as The Exorcist, which changed the framework of modern cinema as we know it. The controversial hot-head broke box-office records after the release of his 1973 horror film, being one of the few directors whose work was met well both commercially and critically, leading to a wide fanbase that flocked to appreciate works such as To Live and Die in L.A, Bug and The French Connection. However, while the director took many risks with his films, there was one decision that he never doubted despite the studios warning him against it.  

While making his 1971 film The French Connection, Friedkin advocated for unknown talent while the studio wanted to attach a big name to the project. Coincidentally, this worked exactly in Hackman’s favour, as he was the perfect mix of someone who was little known after smaller roles in films like I Never Sang for My Father and The Hunting Party, while not yet being a global star. Friedkin pushed for Hackman to star in the project, and eventually, the studios agreed, with the actor taking on the role of Jimmy ‘Popeye’ Doyle.

But despite Friedkin’s conviction in Hackman’s ability to take on this role, the actor wasn’t entirely convinced, describing his intimidation at playing the brutal detective. When discussing his early days on set, Hackman said, “When we first started, I was pretty unsure of myself, because this guy had to be pretty ruthless. In the early parts of the filming, I just wasn’t up to it.”

The actor continued to confess: “When we shot a scene with the drug pusher that I chase down the street in the first scene of the movie, I wasn’t very good; it was just kind of weak. And I went to Billy and I said, ‘I don’t know if I can do this or not.’ This was like the first or second day of filming, and he would have been in big trouble if, after having gone to bat for me, I couldn’t have done the work. And he said, ‘We’ll put it aside for now and continue on and maybe we can reshoot the scene later.’ And that’s what happened.” 

While Hackman was not convinced of his own power on screen, the character of Jimmy Doyle is now revered within his filmography and cited as one of his greatest performances. Hackman won the Academy Award for ‘Best Actor’ that year, with the film also winning for ‘Best Picture’, ‘Best Director’ and ‘Best Adapted Screenplay’.  

The film is widely considered one of the greatest films from the decade, and Hackman’s analytical approach towards his craft (even when self-deprecating), is no doubt what contributed to such a timeless and memorable character.

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