Michael Douglas Reveals the One Role He Wishes He Had Taken

There’s no shortage of ways to shake off the post-holiday blues, but few are as memorable as the approach Michael Douglas took in the cult classic Falling Down. While no one’s suggesting you abandon your car in gridlock and go on a wild spree like Douglas’s character in the 1993 film, there’s something oddly liberating about the movie ’s “what’s the point?” attitude. As the days slowly get longer, it ’s tempting to channel a bit of that energy to get through the winter slump.

Douglas’s performance in Falling Down was a bold move, especially considering his previous success as the infamous Gordon Gekko in Wall Street. This role, however, pushed boundaries in a different way. The film’s raw depiction of violence and its critique of the American dream sparked plenty of controversy, especially since it hit theaters just a year after the devastating Los Angeles riots. Douglas seemed to be in a phase of taking risks, having just starred in Basic Instinct—a film that stirred up its own storm thanks to Sharon Stone’s unforgettable scene and the uproar it caused among conservative groups. That gamble paid off, turning into a massive box office hit.

Turning Down a Safer Bet

Ironically, the one part Douglas turned down came years later and was far less risky than his ‘90s choices. Reflecting on his career, Douglas shared that he was offered a voice role in Disney ’s worldwide phenomenon Frozen back in 2013. He admitted,

“One animation picture, just a voiceover, that would have been more profitable for me than any picture I’d ever done.”

At the time, no one could have predicted just how huge Frozen would become. If Douglas had accepted the offer and negotiated even a small cut of the profits, he would have seen a significant payday. The film went on to gross nearly $1.3 billion at the box office, and its sequel raked in even more six years later.

Blockbusters and New Chapters

Now in his eighties, Douglas has spent the last decade making his mark in some of Hollywood ’s biggest franchises. Most notably, he joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe, starring alongside Paul Rudd in the Ant-Man series, which spanned three films and included a role in Avengers: Endgame. Though he’s mostly stepped back from acting, Douglas is reportedly working on a new project with Christoph Waltz about the Cold War, titled Reagan & Gorbachev.

Despite a career filled with daring roles and box office hits, it’s the missed chance to lend his voice to a Disney blockbuster that stands out as his biggest regret. Sometimes, the safest bets are the ones that get away.