Imagine being offered a role in a movie that would become the third highest-grossing film of its year, only to turn it down for a forgotten adventure flick. That’s exactly what Burt Reynolds did when he passed on MASH* to star in Skullduggery—a decision that still sparks debate among fans and critics alike. But here’s where it gets controversial: Was this a bold career move or a costly misstep? Let’s dive into the story behind this intriguing choice and the lessons it holds for aspiring stars.
By the late 1960s, Burt Reynolds was on the cusp of superstardom. His breakout role in CBS’s Western series Gunsmoke had already cemented his place in Hollywood, thanks to a 50-episode stint that filled the void left by Dennis Weaver’s departure. With one foot in television and the other in film, Reynolds was searching for the role that would catapult him to iconic status. That opportunity seemed to arrive with the offer to play Trapper John McIntyre in Robert Altman’s Korean War comedy MASH. The film went on to become a massive hit in 1970, but Reynolds wasn’t part of it—he’d turned it down in favor of *Skullduggery, a movie that’s now largely forgotten. And this is the part most people miss: What drew Reynolds to this obscure adventure film, and did he ever regret letting Elliot Gould take his place in MASH*?
For fans of Reynolds, Skullduggery is often the movie we skip in his filmography. The plot is unconventional: Reynolds plays a man searching for phosphorus deposits in New Guinea alongside his sidekick (Roger C. Carmel). When they join an expedition led by an archaeologist (Susan Clark), they stumble upon a tribe called the Tropis, who appear to be a missing link between apes and humans. The discovery takes a dark turn when the expedition’s financier plans to breed the Tropis for enslavement, leading to a courtroom battle over their humanity. Sounds intriguing, right? But the film was a critical and financial flop for Universal Pictures, leaving many to wonder what Reynolds saw in it.
Here’s the kicker: Skullduggery was based on the acclaimed French novel Les Animaux dénaturés (translated as The Murder of the Missing Link), which had initially attracted the attention of director Otto Preminger. When he dropped out, the project landed in the hands of producer Saul David, known for hits like Our Man Flint and Fantastic Voyage. But the production was plagued with issues from the start. Director Richard Wilson was fired after just one day of shooting, replaced by Gordon Douglas, whose style didn’t impress Reynolds. In a 1976 interview with Gene Siskel, Reynolds admitted he liked the script but saw the production falling apart early on. He noted, ‘Badly directed, kind of sloughed off. Susan Clark was good, but nobody knew how to sell the picture. Any time you have Pat Suzuki dressed as a small ape, I think you’re in trouble.’
By the time Skullduggery hit theaters, Reynolds realized he needed to be more selective. He told the Chicago Tribune in 1970, ‘I suddenly realized I was as hot as Leo Gorcey,’ a reference that’s as cryptic as it is telling. Whether it was a joke about Gorcey’s career decline or a nod to his recent passing, Reynolds pivoted quickly. He starred in the hit crime film Fuzz and took on Marlon Brando’s rejected role in Deliverance, solidifying his status as Hollywood’s go-to leading man for the rest of the 1970s.
So, was Skullduggery a career wake-up call or just a blip on Reynolds’ radar? Here’s the controversial take: While the film was a flop, it taught Reynolds the importance of choosing projects wisely—a lesson that ultimately shaped his path to stardom. But what do you think? Did Reynolds make the right call, or would he have been better off in MASH*? Let’s debate it in the comments!
