Let me tell you a story about two of Hollywood's most iconic leading men, Paul Newman and Robert Redford. Believe it or not, their legendary partnership almost never happened. Paul was already a massive star, having earned Oscar nominations for films like Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Hustler, Hud, and Cool Hand Luke. When he was cast as the laid-back Butch Cassidy in the 1969 film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, finding his on-screen partner turned out to be a real challenge.
The Struggle to Cast Sundance
Now, you might think casting someone opposite Paul Newman would’ve been a breeze, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Big names like Steve McQueen, Marlon Brando, and Warren Beatty were all considered for the role of the fiery-tempered Sundance Kid. However, Paul—who was encouraged by his wife, Joanne Woodward—fought hard for Robert Redford, who at the time was relatively unknown and considered too light on star power. In fact, Robert was best known for his role in the Neil Simon romantic comedy Barefoot in the Park.
“I had done a few films, but nothing really substantial,” Robert admitted in a recent issue of Closer Weekly. The studio wasn’t thrilled about casting him, believing Paul needed someone with more star power. But Paul stood firm, and director George Roy Hill backed him up. “Robert is an independent, hard-nosed guy who goes his own way,” Hill once said. “Those qualities made him perfect for Sundance.”
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The Magic Between Butch and Sundance
And boy, did it pay off. The chemistry between Paul and Robert was electric. “When you can capture that kind of bonding and connection on film in such a real, warm, and entertaining way, it resonates with audiences,” Robert explained. This buddy dynamic became one of the film’s greatest strengths, drawing in viewers who were captivated by their camaraderie.
Not everyone fit into the production seamlessly, though. Katharine Ross, who played Sundance’s love interest, Etta Place, didn’t exactly gel with the team. “My communication with her wasn’t as strong as it was with the other actors,” Hill admitted. He confessed he only cast her because she was “the sexiest girl I’d ever seen.”
Things got even more complicated when cinematographer Conrad Hall—Katharine’s real-life boyfriend at the time—let her operate one of the cameras during a scene. This didn’t sit well with Hill, who banned Katharine from the set unless she was needed for a scene. “I had this dream of becoming the
