Writer/Director Frank Darabont recalls how Michael Clarke Duncan came to be cast as John Coffey in THE GREEN MILE. Connect with us: / americanfilminstitute / afifest @AmericanFilm @AFIFest / afi-afifest
"He killed them with their love; that is how it is all over the world". Phenomenal performance by Michael Clarke Duncan, no one could have done a better job. Thank you so much Michael for sharing your talent and entertaining all of us; you were taken from us too soon. I hope and pray you are peace with God almighty. You will never be forgotten. RIP Michael Clarke Duncan.
It's surprising that Duncan needed an acting coach on the set, considering how powerful his performance became. I assume that Darabont was more impressed by Duncan's personality than by whatever his initial audition was. Darabont went with his gut, rolled the dice, took the risk, cast an inexperienced actor in a big part -- and it worked tremendously well. Duncan was a hell of a talent, gone much too soon.
This man wrote The Blob Directed Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile, The Majestic and The Mist. He is one of the greatest filmmakers of all time! Period.
What do Morgan Freeman and Michael Clarke Duncan have in common? Two things: They're both African American actors and they've both been directed by Frank to Oscar nominations.
I didnt see that interview, but from what Darabont said here it is easy to see that Michael's first audition didn't go too well. I'm so glad Darabont stuck with Michael though because Michael "made" that movie. Not taking anything from any of the other actors, but without Michael, it would have fallen well shorter.
