Who almost played the lead role in Taxi Driver before Robert De Niro?
Well before I was old enough to watch Taxi Driver, the 1976 classic from Martin Scorsese, I would utter that famous line: "Are you talkin' to me?"
There are few movie quotes as ubiquitous as the one famously uttered by Travis Bickle, the lead character who seems to be on a slow descent into madness and violence, as portrayed in a career-defining role by Robert De Niro. Seriously, he could have just quit acting after that and still be a legend.
The movie was nominated for all kinds of awards and won the Palme d'Or at Cannes, and its lasting legacy owes much to De Niro.
But that part nearly went to someone else. Who did Scorsese approach for this iconic role before Robert De Niro was cast?
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The answer is: Dustin Hoffman. Dustin Hoffman was approached by Martin Scorsese to start as Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver, but turned down the legendary director. At the time, Scorsese only had a concept with no script and Dustin Hoffman thought he sounded crazy. The iconic role would instead go to Robert De Niro; Hoffman has since admitted that passing on Travis Bickle is one of his greatest career regrets. Source
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