Cary Elwes Reflects on The Princess Bride's Enduring Legacy and His Career Philosophy
Cary Elwes, the actor best known for his iconic role as Westley in the 1987 classic The Princess Bride, recently opened up about the film's unexpected journey to becoming a cultural phenomenon, his deep friendship with late director Rob Reiner, and his approach to selecting challenging roles that push his boundaries.
From Box Office Bomb to Beloved Classic
In 1988, Elwes found himself at a career crossroads. The Princess Bride, the fantasy adventure where he played a farm boy turned swashbuckling hero, had performed poorly at the box office, leaving the actor unemployed for a year. "The film was considered a dud initially," Elwes recalls. "Director Rob Reiner later said it was a nightmare to market because it defied easy categorization as either children's entertainment or adult fare."
The film's fortunes changed dramatically when it was released on VHS a year later, finding its audience through home viewing. Today, nearly four decades later, The Princess Bride stands as one of cinema's most cherished films, celebrated for its memorable cast including Billy Crystal, Mandy Patinkin, Wallace Shawn, Robin Wright, and Peter Cook, along with its now-legendary catchphrases like "As you wish," "Inconceivable!" and "Hello. My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die."
"Those lines are testament to William Goldman's brilliance," Elwes says of the famed novelist and screenwriter. "He packed more memorable dialogue into one movie than perhaps any other film in cinema history."
A Tragic Loss and Lasting Friendship
Elwes maintained a close relationship with director Rob Reiner throughout the decades following their collaboration. Reiner, who also directed classics like This Is Spinal Tap and When Harry Met Sally, was found dead in his home last December along with his wife, producer and photographer Michele Singer. Their son Nick Reiner has been charged with their murder and is scheduled to stand trial later this year.
"He was a very dear friend and I miss him terribly," Elwes says solemnly. "It's an absolute tragedy." The actor recently joined Reiner's friends and collaborators including Billy Crystal, Carol Kane, Meg Ryan, Kiefer Sutherland, Demi Moore, Kathy Bates, and John Cusack on stage at the Oscars to pay tribute to the late director and his wife.
Elwes and Reiner frequently appeared together at anniversary events for The Princess Bride, where they would share stories about the non-stop silliness and laughter that characterized the film's production. "We had such joy making that film," Elwes remembers. "The set was constantly filled with laughter."
Career Advice from an Unlikely Source
During his year of unemployment following The Princess Bride's initial failure, Elwes had a chance encounter that would change his career trajectory. While dining at a New York restaurant, he spotted Al Pacino and introduced himself. "He asked if I was working and I said no," Elwes recalls. "Pacino told me, 'You need to exercise your acting muscles,' and advised me to return to school for training."
Pacino connected Elwes with the Lee Strasberg Institute, where he had studied with his own mentor Charlie Laughton. "I auditioned, got in, and ended up working with Al's mentor," Elwes explains. "That experience completely changed my life and approach to acting."
The two actors have remained friends ever since, recently reuniting for Gus Van Sant's new film Dead Man's Wire, which tells the true story of a 1977 hostage situation in Indianapolis. Elwes plays local police officer Mike Grable, while Pacino portrays the corporate executive targeted by the hostage-taker.
Choosing Roles That Create Nervousness
Now 63 and speaking from his Los Angeles home, Elwes discusses his philosophy for selecting roles. "I gravitate toward jobs that make me a little bit scared," he reveals. "If something makes me nervous, that's usually the project I'm drawn to."
This approach has led to a remarkably diverse career spanning war films like Glory, horror franchises including Saw, thrillers such as Twister and Mission: Impossible, comedies like Robin Hood: Men in Tights and Liar Liar, and popular television series including The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Stranger Things.
Following The Princess Bride's initial failure, Elwes faced being typecast as a romantic lead despite the film's poor box office performance. "Casting directors wanted to pigeonhole me," he explains. "But I wanted to play character roles. My training at the Lee Strasberg Institute helped me demonstrate my versatility."
Early Influences and Hollywood Beginnings
Elwes' path to acting began early, influenced by his stepfather Elliott Kastner, a prominent film producer whose credits included Where Eagles Dare and The Long Goodbye. At just 15, Elwes worked as Marlon Brando's personal assistant for a week when the actor's regular assistant fell ill during production of Superman: The Movie at Shepperton Studios.
"I was a little nervous," Elwes admits about working with the legendary actor. "He was someone I looked up to immensely." This experience, combined with his later mentorship from Pacino, gave Elwes what he describes as "two godfathers" who significantly influenced his career.
After moving to the United States at 18, Elwes studied acting at Sarah Lawrence College in Yonkers, New York. His first professional role came in the 1984 film Another Country alongside Rupert Everett and Colin Firth. "I got it from my first audition, which I don't recommend because it made me think acting was too easy," he says with a laugh.
The Responsibility of a Cultural Touchstone
Despite his varied career spanning nearly four decades, Elwes remains most recognized for his role as Westley in The Princess Bride. He acknowledges that he's still regularly asked to repeat the character's famous line "As you wish" when out in public.
"This film brings people and families together," Elwes reflects. "I feel I have a responsibility to it, but it's a wonderful responsibility. As an actor, you're lucky if your work resonates with anyone, so I never take that for granted."
Dead Man's Wire, featuring Elwes' latest collaboration with Al Pacino, arrives in cinemas on March 20th, offering audiences another opportunity to see the actor tackle the kind of challenging role that continues to define his career philosophy.
