While Bill Murray was doing well, Joe Pesci first got the chance to play himself in the Zombieland special cameo.
With special performances in both Zombieland and the sequel, Zombieland: Double Tap, Ghostbusters star Bill Murray shone with his presence in the horror comedy films. In the original film, released by director Ruben Fleischer in 2009, Murray had a very memorable cameo as himself when a group of zombie apocalypse survivors sought shelter in his home. Though he was accidentally killed by one of them over a prank gone wrong, Murray returned in the 2019 sequel for a mid-credit scene set at the start of the outbreak with zombies taking a hit. Garfield 3 press interview.
At this point, fans of the movies will have a hard time imagining that another celebrity filled this spot, but Murray wasn’t the original plan. It was previously reported that Patrick Swayze was a person who was being considered, but he could not accept it due to his declining health. Some other celebrity names reportedly under consideration include Sylvester Stallone, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Mark Hamill, The Rock, and Kevin Bacon.
Now, with a message on Twitter, Zombieland co-writer Rhett Reese has stated that Home alone actor Joe Pesci was also approached for the role, although he is said to have turned it down because it didn’t pay well enough.
“We wanted Joe Pescia for what turned out to be Bill Murray’s role in ZombielandReese explained. “We warned Pesci’s agent that it was a small part. He said, “There are no small parts, only small money.” It was a no.”
Joe Pesci to star in a Peacock series
While money may have been the biggest issue, Pesci may have also been reluctant to appear in the film, having acted only sporadically over the past decade. Since 2010 Love Ranchit only came out in 2019 the Irishmanalthough he did voice over for The tail of a warrior in 2016.
Although he was essentially retired, it was recently revealed that Pesci will star in the upcoming Peacock comedy series Bupkis. It is the first series regular role for Pesci since 1985, when he starred in the short-lived show Half Nelson. The only other TV show he acted in would be for a single episode of Stories from the Cryptalthough he has an episode of SNL in 1992.