Scott Eastwood has been making his way around Hollywood for about 12 years now. This weekend's premiere of his new film, The Longest Ride, could propel him into star status. The Nicholas Sparks adaption could do for Eastwood what 'The Notebook' did for Ryan Gosling.
But Eastwood almost missed out on the opportunity to star in his first lead role to play another coveted role: Christian Grey in 50 Shades of Grey.
“They wanted me to sign a deal before I went in and even tested for it, which to me is backwards,” Eastwood said to Variety. “I thought it could make a good movie. The problem is, if you don’t have a script, you don’t know what movie they are going to make.”
He was offered the role after Charlie Hunnam dropped out and before Jamie Dornan signed on to bring to life the red room of pain and pleasure.
Eastwood also auditioned for another big role around the same time, Chris Kyle's brother in American Sniper, which happens to have been directed by his father, Clint. However, nepotism apparently doesn't fly in the Eastwood family and Scott never even heard back from his father on the role.
I’ve auditioned for pretty much every one of my father’s movies,” Eastwood said to Variety. As for the roles he doesn't get chosen for, “You don’t get a phone call. It’s nothing personal.”
Eastwood actually prefers things this way. He told TODAY, "About 12 years ago, when I started auditioning in the business, I used my mom's last name, just to see if I could do it for me. ... You sort of realize early on that you've got to go out and audition like everybody."
It seems he has finally embraced the Eastwood legacy just in time for his career to take off.
'The Longest Ride' is out now!
Image courtesy of ACE/INF photo