Why John Wayne Turned Down The Dirty Dozen, One of the Greatest War Movies Ever
John Wayne turned down plenty of iconic movie roles throughout his legendary career, but few "what ifs" are as intriguing as The Dirty Dozen.
The 1967 World War II classic ultimately starred Lee Marvin as Major John Reisman, helping cement its place among the greatest war movies ever made. But before filming began, the role was offered to Wayne, who walked away over concerns about the character's morality.
Why John Wayne Turned Down The Dirty Dozen
On paper, Major Reisman seemed like a role tailor-made for Wayne. The decorated military officer leads a group of convicted soldiers on a dangerous behind-the-lines mission during World War II.
However, Wayne objected to one major aspect of the script.
According to the biography John Wayne: American, Reisman was originally written as an adulterer involved in an affair with the wife of another soldier. Wayne reportedly found the storyline "repulsive" and believed the character showed too little remorse for his actions.
Producer Ken Hyman discussed changing those scenes with Wayne, and the affair was eventually removed from the script. Even so, Wayne ultimately declined the role.
Instead, he chose to make The Green Berets, a Vietnam War film that reflected his strongly patriotic views. While The Dirty Dozen became both a commercial and critical success, The Green Berets received largely negative reviews, with critics taking issue with its portrayal of the ongoing conflict.
One of the Greatest War Movies Ever Made
Released in 1967, The Dirty Dozen became one of the year's biggest hits, grossing more than $45 million worldwide against a reported $5.4 million budget.
The film also earned a lasting reputation as one of the defining war movies of its era. Rotten Tomatoes included it on its roundup of the greatest war movies of all time, recognizing its influence on the genre and its enduring popularity.
Its all-star cast featured Lee Marvin, Charles Bronson, Ernest Borgnine, Jim Brown, Telly Savalas, Donald Sutherland, George Kennedy, Robert Ryan, and John Cassavetes.
Fans Still Love the Film Today
Nearly 60 years after its release, The Dirty Dozen continues to resonate with audiences.
The film holds an 82% critics score and an impressive 90% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, a testament to its staying power with movie fans.
Although it's impossible to know how different the film would have been with Wayne in the lead role, his decision paved the way for Lee Marvin's acclaimed performance, and helped create one of the most celebrated war movies in Hollywood history.
This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Jul 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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This story was originally published July 14, 2026 at 4:00 AM.