SPN: Did Bruce Campbell almost play John Winchester?
Bruce Campbell was offered the role of John Winchester on Supernatural according to Jensen Ackles in a recent appearance on Michael Rosenbaum’s Inside of You podcast.
Bruce Campbell has been the subject of many casting rumors over the years. Apparently, he was considered for the role of Ian Malcolm in Jurassic Park before it went to Jeff Goldblum.
Perhaps, the most famous one of all and the most persistent, surrounds Mysterio in Sam Raimi’s ill fated, never to be seen, Spider-Man 4. To this day, there are fans convinced that Bruce was definitely going to play that part even though the actor himself denied it many times.
In a recent SyFy Wire article, it was reported that Jensen Ackles revealed on Michael Rosenbaum’s podcast, Inside of You, that Campbell’s name came up during the casting of Supernatural. Believe it or not, Bruce was the producers’ first choice to portray the patriarch of the Winchester clan, John.
This is particularly interesting news because for years, Evil Dead followers have wanted to see a crossover with Ash Williams joining Dean and Sam in their fight against nefarious otherworldly forces. So, in a roundabout way, if this would have come to fruition, that wish may have actually come true.
The actor would have played John in the present day while Jeffrey Dean Morgan would have portrayed the character in the flashback scenes when the siblings were younger. That would make sense because Morgan is only 12 years older than Ackles in real life.
It would have been exciting to have Bruce Campbell portray Dean and Sam’s father. But depending on when the offer would have been made, the veteran thespian may have been busy.
Supernatural premiered in 2005. That was a particularly hectic year for Campbell because he made Alien Apocalypse, Man with the Screaming Brain and Sky High in that time period. Unfortunately, some things just aren’t meant to be.
dark. Next. SUPERNATURAL
Supernatural returns to the CW on Oct. 8 at 8 p.m. ET.
Let us know your thoughts on Bruce Campbell as John Winchester in the comments section.