One of the greatest cameos in horror history is found in 2009’s Zombieland, featuring Bill Murray in the role of, well, Bill Murray. But the part wasn’t originally written for Murray.
Writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick have let us know several times over the years that the cameo sequence was originally written for the late Patrick Swayze, who unfortunately got sick before the part could ever be offered to him. Various celebrities were then considered, including Sylvester Stallone, Kevin Bacon, The Rock, Mark Hamill and Joe Pesci.
A version of the script with Swayze in the role that ultimately went to Bill Murray was written by Reese and Wernick, and naturally, it was an entirely different sequence than what we ended up with. While we’re all stuck at home for the foreseeable future, the two writers have taken to social media to share the script pages from the version with Swayze in the fun cameo role.
They note some important details before you dive into the script pages, “Tallahassee was originally named Albuquerque. Columbus, Flagstaff. And Little Rock was Stillwater.”
The gang enters “La Casa De Swayze” in this early draft, watching Roadhouse on his TV and listening to the Dirty Dancing soundtrack on his stereo – humorously, both the DVD and the CD are already in the players when they get there. Flagstaff/Columbus eventually finds his way over to the potter’s wheel from Ghost, when he’s approached by someone from behind…
Of course, it’s Patrick Swayze. The script describes, “Now zombified. Horrifying. Tight jeans. Tank top. And early-stages mullet. For so many reasons…Flagstaff SCREAMS.”
What happens next? You’ll have to read the sequence for yourself below!
Since we’re all currently living in #zombieland, @rhettreese & I thought it’d be fun to take you behind the curtain, back to the early days. The role Bill Murray played started in the original draft as Patrick Swayze. Patrick tragically got sick and we never had the opp (1)
— Paul Wernick (@paulwernick) March 19, 2020
to offer him the part. But we did WRITE IT. Along with a dozen or so, including for @therock @kevinbacon @HamillHimself @theslystallone, JCVD, Pesci, McConaughey among others. @rhettreese and I are going to post a new scene every day, as written, just, well, just because… (2)
— Paul Wernick (@paulwernick) March 19, 2020
A few things to note. Tallahassee was originally named Albuquerque. Columbus, Flagstaff. And Little Rock was Stillwater. Hope you guys enjoy: (3)
— Paul Wernick (@paulwernick) March 19, 2020
— Paul Wernick (@paulwernick) March 19, 2020
— Paul Wernick (@paulwernick) March 19, 2020
— Paul Wernick (@paulwernick) March 19, 2020
— Paul Wernick (@paulwernick) March 19, 2020
