John Goodman Reflects on Career, Regrets Roles in 'Blues Brothers 2000' and 'The Monuments Men'
The veteran actor also commented on his latest film, 'Digger,' potentially becoming a significant box office flop.
Actor John Goodman has voiced regrets about certain roles he has taken throughout his four-decade career, including appearances in "Blues Brothers 2000" and "The Monuments Men." Goodman shared these reflections during a recent conversation hosted by the SAG-AFTRA Foundation in New York.
He specifically mentioned "Blues Brothers 2000," a sequel to the 1980 cult classic, stating, "I probably shouldn't have done" the film, despite enjoying the experience of working with the musicians involved. The sequel, unlike its predecessor, was not a critical or commercial success.
Goodman also expressed some reservations about George Clooney's 2014 war film, "The Monuments Men." While he noted having a positive experience filming with its star-studded cast, including Matt Damon, Bill Murray, and Cate Blanchett, he acknowledged the film's critical reception and box office performance. "The Monuments Men," which focused on a group of art historians and museum curators tasked with rescuing art from the Nazis during World War II, grossed $158 million globally. However, this figure did not offset its budget and marketing costs, and it received a "rotten" rating of 30% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Goodman is currently appearing in the divisive political satire "Digger," alongside Tom Cruise. The film, which reportedly cost $125 million to make and an additional $100 million for marketing, is on track to be one of the biggest box office disappointments. Early projections suggest "Digger" could lose approximately $245 million during its theatrical run, with an estimated global box office total of around $50 million. To break even, the film would need to gross $350 million globally.
In "Digger," directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Tom Cruise plays an oil tycoon whose actions lead to an environmental disaster, and he subsequently endeavors to solve the crisis. Goodman portrays the U.S. president in the film.
Despite the film's commercial struggles, there is speculation that Cruise could still be in contention for an Oscar nomination for his role. Awards experts currently place him fourth for a Best Actor nomination, though the category is expected to be highly competitive.
"Digger" has received a mixed reception from critics, with a 53% score on Rotten Tomatoes. However, it has garnered a higher audience score of 75% on the same platform and an average user rating of 3.9 out of 5 on Letterboxd. The film has been more favorably reviewed by some European critics, who have hailed it as a masterpiece.