Jerry Cantrell has revealed that he turned down a role in Cameron Crowe’s 2000 film Almost Famous.
The Alice In Chains guitarist and singer made a cameo appearance in Crowe’s 1992 movie Singles, along with his bandmates as well as members of Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. Cantrell also had a role in Crowe’s 1996 film Jerry Maguire, which starred Tom Cruise.
During a recent episode of The Adamantium Podcast, the musician explained that he was almost cast in Almost Famous.
The comedy coming-of-age film was based on Crowe’s experiences in the early ’70s when he was a teenage music journalist for Rolling Stone, touring with Led Zeppelin, Eagles, and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Crowe won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.
Almost Famous – which stars Patrick Fugit, Billy Crudup, Kate Hudson and more – also bagged the Grammy for Best Compilation Soundtrack Album in 2001.
Cantrell explained: “[Crowe] wanted me to be a bass player. One of my biggest regrets is turning Cameron Crowe down for his third consecutive movie. I was in a tough place, and I was also on tour supporting [his 2002 solo album] ‘Degradation Trip’. But I regret it.”
The musician remembered that Crowe had already penned some dialogue for the fictional bassist, who was “knowledgable” and “uppity”. Actor and musician Mark Kozelek, from indie band Sun Kil Moon, was later cast in the role Cantrell turned down.
“He had the character written where I was a ‘[Paul] McCartney is God’ kind of dude, which he fucking is,” Cantrell went on. “In a couple of conversations where bass players would come up, I’d come off the top turnbuckle and say, ‘Fuck you, McCartney is a god’.”
Additionally, he praised actors for their hard work and commitment to lengthy film shoots. Cantrell admitted that he was a little nervous during the filming of Jerry Maguire as well, but said Crowe’s support made him feel more confident.
You can listen to the podcast in full above.
Back in 2020, Cameron Crowe revealed that Neil Young was meant to have a cameo appearance in Almost Famous. The writer, director and producer had previously opened up about Philip Seymour Hoffman’s appearance in the seminal film, as legendary rock critic Lester Bangs.
A musical adaptation of Almost Famous opened on Broadway in 2022, with Joni Mitchell hailing it as “better than the movie”.
In other news, Jerry Cantrell recently performed Alice In Chains’ song ‘Hate To Feel’ live for the first time in over 30 years. Last month, he revealed that he and Metallica frontman James Hetfield had discussed making music together.
Cantrell has various solo festival slots lined up for 2025, including a slot at Download in June.
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