‘Purple Rain’: Execs Wanted John Travolta to Play Prince’s Role
There are too many legendary moments in Prince’s career to count, but one of his earliest achievements was starring in Purple Rain. His music is behind the movie’s soundtrack which earned two Oscars: Best Original Musical and Best Original Score. As a song and film, Purple Rain is inseparable from Prince. But behind the scenes of the memorable movie, someone wanted John Travolta to play Kid.
‘Purple Rain’ star Apollonia recalls John Travolta casting request
Besides Prince, Morris Day, Jerome, and Apollonia Kotero stole the show in Purple Rain. Prince played Kid, the tortured artist whose home life affected his dream to make it in show business. He faced competition at the First Avenue club, found love with a newcomer, and still managed to rock the stage.
Apollonia has fond memories of that time, but she recently shared that Warner Brothers’ powers-that-be suggested that John Travolta play the lead. He did Saturday Night Fever in 1977, so perhaps they thought another adult-level musical would be up his alley.
During an interview with VladTV, Apollonia discussed the film’s success and how many people passed on it. She mentioned former football player Jim Brown (not James Brown) turning it down, and then spoke about Travolta.
“And they wanted to recast it then at one point I think with Travolta,” she said. “I love John, but I don’t think in high heels and Jheri curl and purple velvet. I don’t think that would’ve worked.”
The Travolta claim in backed up in a book
Prince’s manager Bob Cavallo had an uphill battle when trying to secure a deal for Purple Rain. At the time, he and his co-manager were willing to put up funds, but they needed to find a director and screenwriter. According to Alan Light’s book, Let’s Go Crazy: Prince and the Making of Purple Rain, after landing Albert Magnoli to direct, they sought out a movie studio.
Originally, they were willing to make the film independently, but pitched it to producers such as David Geffen, Richard Pryor and Jim Brown (they co-owned a production company), and Warner Bros. Mark Canton was a vice president at Warner, and after reading the script, he shared his own thoughts.
“There’s another thing I wonder if you would consider. We’re thinking Prince isn’t enough of a star to hold this movie, and wonder if you would consider John Travolta to play this role?” Canton asked. Angered, the Purple Rain team insisted the movie had to be authentic and they left the meeting.
However, Canton called them, apologized, and asked them to pitch it to Warner Bros. bosses. They obliged, and the movie received the green light.
‘Purple Rain’ hit it big at the box office
For a film that had a meager budget of $7 million, it performed well domestically and globally with a $70 million return. Prince is the only one who thought the movie would be a success, and it’s rumored he pocketed roughly $17 million for his famous debut. And no one other than him could have played Kid. Purple Rain is available to rent on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, or Vudu.
