Oscar-winning actor Robin Williams is known for delivering impeccable performances in numerous films. With every film, the actor proved his versatility and established himself in the film industry. Looking at his successful career, it’s hard to believe that he lost out on a project due to his previous acting in a specific genre.

According to filmmaker Stanley Kubrick, he initially wanted to cast the actor in his film adaptation of Stephen King’s novel The Shining but changed his mind after watching his performances in different genres. Meanwhile, on the other hand, King wasn’t thrilled with the casting of Kubrick’s film.

Stanley Kubrick

Why did Stanley Kubrick drop the idea of casting Robin Williams in his film?

In 1980, the renowned filmmaker Stanley Kubrick delivered a cult classic film, The Shining. The film, based on Stephen King’s novel, featured Jack Nicholson, who played the leading role of Jack Torrance. While many people acclaimed his performance, King wasn’t happy with the casting of the lead protagonist.

Interestingly, Nicholson wasn’t Kubrick’s first choice, as he initially considered Robin Williams for the role. However, the genres Williams had previously worked in didn’t align with the character of Torrance. Hence, Kubrick decided to cast Nicholson in the role.

Robin Williams

Kubrick’s horror film The Shining revolves around the story of a struggling writer, Jack Torrance, who accepts a job as the caretaker at a haunted hotel, where he becomes possessed by evil spirits. The character of Torrance embodies two personalities: one of a normal person and the other of a devil who is possessed. It was essential to cast an actor who could portray both characters effectively.

Williams was almost cast for the role, but Kubrick dropped the idea after watching an episode of Mork and Mindy. The hit sitcom featured Williams in the role of a quirky alien called Mork. After seeing Williams’ performance, Kubrick thought he was “too psychotic” to play Jack Torrance, and the role eventually went to Nicholson. However, that wasn’t the end of the turmoil, as Stephen King later criticized Nicholson’s casting, believing it didn’t align well with his character in the novel.

Stephen King didn’t appreciate the film adaptation of his novel ‘The Shining’

Stephen King

Stephen King, one of the most celebrated writers, has had many of his works adapted into movies and TV series. One such film adaptation is The Shining, directed by Stanley Kubrick. Although the film was appreciated by many, King wasn’t one of them, as he strongly condemned the film. One of the reasons King disliked Kubrick’s reimagining of his book was the casting.

According to King, Nicholson wasn’t the perfect fit for the role of Jack Torrance. As Nicholson was known for playing villainous and intense roles, King believed he wouldn’t be able to do justice to the character’s dual personality of a normal man and that of a possessed killer.

King was so dissatisfied with Kubrick’s work that he created his own version of The Shining as a miniseries in the late 1990s.