As Charlie Sheen looked back on his nascent Hollywood career, he revisited one of his most intimate setbacks: the loss of the lead role in "Born on the Fourth of July" to Tom Cruise. He described this experience as a moment of "betrayal" that still resonates deeply within him.
Sheen recalled how he was initially approached by director Oliver Stone with the opportunity to star in the film based on Ron Kovic's autobiography. The meetings were fruitful, and the actor was eager for the role. However, suddenly, communication ceased, and Sheen felt a sense of uncertainty creeping in.
He reached out to Stone's office, only to learn that the director was in Cuba. Shortly thereafter, his brother Emilio Estevez called to deliver the devastating news: "Cruise is doing Born on the Fourth." Sheen initially thought something tragic had happened, but he soon realized the loss was much more than just a movie role. It was a significant blow to his career aspirations.
The fact that he was friends with Cruise at the time made the news even more difficult to swallow. "It was also the betrayal factor of it," Sheen explained, noting Stone's long-standing admiration for Cruise. "It’s a different movie if Tom does it than if I do it." He further added that he had never signed a contract, as if to distance himself from any obligation or expectation.
Sheen eventually confronted Stone about the decision at a bar, where the director told him, "I just felt like you didn't have any passion for it." Sheen responded with a bit of sarcasm, "How do you know how much passion I lost if we never talked about it again?" Despite the disappointment, Sheen praised Cruise's portrayal of Kovic, calling it "brilliant" and stating that he "should have won the freaking Oscar."
"Born on the Fourth of July" ultimately earned eight Academy Award nominations, including Best Actor for Cruise, solidifying its place in cinematic history.
