Charlie Sheen Reveals How Tom Cruise Landed His Role

Charlie Sheen has spoken candidly about the time he was replaced by Tom Cruise in the 1989 film Born on the Fourth of July, describing the experience as a significant blow. The actor, now 60, shared that he only discovered the real reason for his replacement after a rather boozy encounter with director Oliver Stone, years after the fact.

Unexpected Revelations Over Drinks

During an appearance on In Depth With Graham Bensinger, Sheen recounted how he and Stone ended up in the same bar, both having had a few too many, which finally led to an honest conversation about the casting decision. According to Sheen, Stone told him:

I was drunk enough and he was drunk enough for that thing to finally be brought up. And he was like, ‘I just felt like you didn’t have any passion for it. I felt like you lost interest.’ I was like, ‘Well, I didn’t see you. How do you know how much passion I lost or interest that evaporated if we never talked about it again?’

Sheen had already met with Stone and the real Ron Kovic, the man whose story the film tells, and had every expectation that the part was his. The news that he had been dropped came not from Stone, but from his own brother, Emilio Estevez, which only added to the sting.

Feeling Let Down by Oliver Stone

Sheen admitted that the way he was informed left him feeling rather betrayed. In a conversation with Playboy, he reflected on the situation:

I wouldn’t have cared if Oliver had called me personally, based on what we’d been through. We fought two wars you know. But here was a crucial point for both of us, and he couldn’t even call me and say, ‘I’ve changed my mind.’

Despite the disappointment, Sheen has since moved on. He noted that he never actually signed a contract for the role, so technically, he hadn’t lost anything. He also refrained from criticising Cruise, who went on to receive an Oscar nomination for his performance.

Star Power and Career Shifts

Sheen went on to appear in three other films the same year: Tale of Two Sisters, Major League, and Never on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Cruise’s previous successes in Risky Business and Top Gun had already established him as a major Hollywood draw, which likely influenced Stone’s final decision.

Although Sheen continued to work in both film and television throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, his career was later overshadowed by personal struggles, including substance misuse and allegations of abuse.

Legacy of the Film

Born on the Fourth of July, directed by Oliver Stone, was released on 20 December 1989. The film was both a critical and commercial success, earning $161 million at the box office and holding an 84% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The role of Ron Kovic proved pivotal for Cruise, earning him widespread acclaim.

For those interested, the film is currently available to watch on Apple TV.