Trivia for
A Time to Kill (1996) More at IMDb Pro »

• Bruce Dern was the original choice for the role of Judge Noose, but other commitments meant that he was ultimately unavailable.
  
  
• Donald Sutherland reportedly wanted his character, Lucien Wilbanks, to be much more of a radical drunkard, as written in the book. But director Joel Schumacher disagreed, saying it would be too much comic relief in what he wanted to be a mostly serious drama.
  
  
• Matthew McConaughey was originally cast in Kiefer Sutherland's role of Freddie Lee Cobb, but after reading the script, he decided that he would prefer the role of Jake Brigance. He went to director Joel Schumacher, who granted him a private screen test.
  
  

• Kevin Costner was considered for the role of Jake Brigance, but wanted complete control of the project. Author John Grisham objected and Costner passed on the project.
  
  
• Woody Harrelson wanted to play Jake Brigance, but author John Grisham objected to his casting.
  
  
• Paul Newman was offered the part of Lucien Wilbanks, but turned it down.
  
  
• Joel Schumacher originally offered the lead role to Val Kilmer during the production of Batman Forever (1995), but Kilmer declined.
  
  

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