10 Unrealized Projects of Clint Eastwood That Would've Been Epic

Introduction
Clint Eastwood is an iconic American actor, director, and producer who has left an indelible mark on the film industry. Despite his illustrious career, there are several projects that he was unable to bring to fruition. These unrealized projects, ranging from adaptations of literary classics to ambitious historical epics, offer a glimpse into the mind of one of Hollywood's most celebrated filmmakers.

1. The Last Good Man
Based on the acclaimed novel by Phillip Rock, The Last Good Man would have followed Eastwood as a legendary gunslinger tasked with protecting a young boy from a ruthless outlaw. While the script was completed and a budget was secured, the project was ultimately scrapped due to casting issues.

2. American Son: The Assassination of President John F. Kennedy
Eastwood envisioned directing a sweeping historical epic about the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The project was reportedly in development for several years, but failed to secure funding.

3. The Tiger
Eastwood acquired the rights to Alfred Bester's classic science fiction novel The Tiger. The film adaptation would have starred Eastwood as a war veteran haunted by a mysterious alien entity. Despite the promising premise, the project was abandoned due to creative differences.

4. The Old Man and the Sea
Eastwood had a lifelong passion for Ernest Hemingway's novel The Old Man and the Sea. He intended to adapt it into a feature film starring himself as the aging fisherman Santiago. However, the project never materialized due to rights issues and Eastwood's own advanced age.

5. A Star is Born (1988)
In 1988, Eastwood was approached to direct a remake of the classic musical A Star is Born. He initially agreed, but later dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. The film was eventually directed by Frank Pierson and starred Barbra Streisand.

6. The Life and Death of Gene Fowler
Eastwood was fascinated by the life of Gene Fowler, a legendary Hollywood journalist and screenwriter. He intended to make a biopic about Fowler, but the project was shelved after several years of pre-production.

7. Flags of Our Fathers and Letters from Iwo Jima
Eastwood had originally planned to direct both Flags of Our Fathers and its companion film Letters from Iwo Jima. However, he ultimately decided to focus solely on directing Letters from Iwo Jima. The two films were directed separately by Eastwood and Steven Spielberg, respectively.

8. The Red Hand Gang
In 2011, Eastwood was attached to direct The Red Hand Gang, a gangster film set during the 1940s. He reportedly spent several months working on the script, but the project was eventually abandoned due to unknown reasons.

9. In the Valley of Elah
Eastwood intended to direct In the Valley of Elah before Paul Haggis took over the helm. The film, which starred Tommy Lee Jones and Charlize Theron, explores the impact of the Iraq War on an American family.

10. The Longest Ride
Eastwood was initially offered the opportunity to direct The Longest Ride, a romantic drama based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks. However, he declined due to scheduling issues. The film was eventually directed by George Tillman Jr.

Conclusion
Clint Eastwood's unrealized projects offer a glimpse into the diverse range of films that he could have directed. While these projects may never see the light of day, they serve as a testament to Eastwood's creative vision and passion for storytelling.