Playing notorious cult leader Charles Manson was not in the cards for Charlie Day. In Quentin Tarantino's 2019 film Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, Manson appears with Damon Herriman in the role. Originally, Day was the producers' first choice to play Manson, but the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia star ended up passing on it. While this would have been an opportunity to land a prominent role in a Tarantino film, Day did not even bother to interview for the part as he'd apparently realized pretty that playing Manson wasn't for him.
Day opened up about his near-casting as Charles Manson in a new interview with The Hollywood Reporter. The actor offered a couple of reasons for why he decided to turn down Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Day notes how when it comes to filmmakers like the Tarantinos of the world, he prefers to sit on the sidelines and enjoy their work as a fan. Getting cast in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood may not have allowed him to enjoy the film quite as much.
"I’m a bit of a movie nerd, and with the Guillermos, the Quentins, the Paul Thomas Andersons of the world, I adore anything they do. And I don’t miss anything they put out. But there was a side of me that didn’t want to be watching Once Upon a Time in Hollywood — because I was very excited about it — and then be taken out of the film by seeing myself in it. It’s a really dumb way to think as an actor. Talk about limiting your opportunities."
Charlie Day Just Couldn't See Himself As Charles Manson
Charlie Day clarifies that at the heart of it all, he just knew that he wasn't right for the part. He goes on to clarify that he would be open to working with Quentin Tarantino, but it would have to be for a role that felt better for him to take on as an actor. Looking at Damon Herriman's performance, Day feels that the right person was ultimately cast as Manson in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
"But the truth is I couldn’t really see myself as the character, and Damon Herriman was amazing. I think he played the character before on Mindhunter. So it was one of those things where I was like, 'I don’t want Quentin to not cast me, so if I’m going to read for something, let me make sure it’s something that I feel like I can really shine in.' But that contradicts what I said earlier about always picturing myself in whatever. (Laughs.) So I guess there was a side of me that thought I could do it…"
There are other places to catch Charlie Day. He will be on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia from now until seemingly the end of time with no signs of the hit comedy series coming to an end anytime soon. Recently, he starred alongside Jenny Slate in the rom-com I Want You Back, now streaming on Prime Video. Day will also be heard as the voice of Luigi in the animated Super Mario Bros. movie coming to theaters in Winter 2022.