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There is no doubt that Kurt Russell’s career is stacked. Over the course of his decades-spanning career, he has portrayed an impressive number of iconic roles,many of which have equally emblematic hairstyles. Some of his most memorable roles include Jack Burton fromBig Trouble in Little China, “Stuntman” Mike McKay inDeath Proof, andWyatt Earpin Tombstone. It is also well known that his turn inEscape from New Yorkas Lt. S.D. Bob “Snake” Plissken, a government-weary decorated Special Forcessoldier, turned criminalinspired another beloved character,Metal Gear Solid’s protagonist, Solid Snake. Whatever role he takes on, be it hero, anti-hero, or villain, Russell always brings his trademark charming, rugged charisma.
One year afterEscape from New York, Russell would collaborate with John Carpenter inThe Thing. This time, Russell would play R.J. MacReady, an alcoholic helicopter pilot, trapped on an antarctic base with eleven other men as ashape-shifting alienconsumes and assimilates into them. As paranoia mounts among the men, Mac refuses to admit defeat to his gruesome enemy and is determined to win by any means necessary.
AlthoughThe Thingwasripped to shreds by criticswhen it first premiered, thefilm has become a cult classic. Russell’s performance as Mac is more restrained than his other roles, giving the character a unique cool and allowing fear and tension to mount as the film progresses. Mac and Snake are arguably the roles that launched Russell into the persona he is known for today. However, before he was conducting blood tests to root out an alien invader, Russell portrayed quite a different character.
Kurt Rusell Voiced Copper in theFox and the Hound
In 1981, Kurt Russell voiced the adult Copper, a hound dog, who befriended a fox, Tod, in his youth despite both of them being natural enemies inThe Fox and the Hound. (Fans of this dynamic might also want to check outBlanc, a sweet co-op-adventurethat centers on a wolf cub and a fawn.) When Copper and Tod are children, they pledge eternal friendship. However, the following spring, when the two reach adulthood, Copper becomes an expert hunting dog. When Tod tries to go visit his friend, he is chased by Copper’s owner and his mentor, Chief. Chief ends up injured and Copper blames Tod. In fact, Copper tries to capture and kill Tod in revenge. Tod tries to defend himself in fights that are as tragic as they are violent. Copper only relents when Tod saves him from a bear and, in turn, saves him from his master. In the end, they part, never quite restoring their friendship to what it once was. It is the most heartbreaking movie in the Disney animated canon.
In the beginning, Russell gives Copper a playful innocence. When he tells Mickey Rooney’s adult Tod that they cannot be friends anymore because “[he’s] a hunting dog now”, it is not said mean, but like a young man, not quite sure of himself. Even when he’s swearing revenge against Tod, there’s uncertainty. It’s a far cry fromThe Thing’s self-assured Mac. However, adult Copper is far from Kurt Russell’s wheelhouse and Copper was far from his first Disney role.
Kurt Russell is a Former Disney Star
Kurt Russell was a Disney wunderkind,not unlike superstar Zendayaorthe talented Zac Efron. His Disney career began in 1966 with the filmFollow Me, Boys!Walt Disney was apparently so impressed with Russell that he ended up signing him to a ten-year contract. During this time, Russell starred in numerous projects, such asThe One, and Only Genuine Family Bandand a trilogy of films based on the character Dexter Reilley, includingThe Computer Wore Tennis Shoes,Now You See Him, Now You Don’t, andThe Strongest Man in the World. Like many young stars before him, there is no doubt that Russell must have had difficulty shaking the Disney brand. However, his Carpenter collaborations likeThe Thingshowcased he had more to offer as an actor and, as a result, he has had a varied and extensive career.
With all that said, Russell has returned to his Disney roots from time to time. Fans of the superhero genre remember him fondly for his superhero dad roles, ranging from the bad as Ego inGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2to the good asSteve Stronghold/The Commander inSky High. He was also praised for his portrayal of real-life US Olympic hockey coach, Herb Brooks, who led the team to an Olympic gold medal in 1980. Fans may have their favorite Kurt Russell roles, whether it be Mac fromThe Thingor even Copper fromThe Fox and the Hound. Some of his films, likeThe Thing, mightnot even have been appreciated in their time, but found their fanbase. The fact remains that Russell is an undeniable talent with many more interesting roles to come.
Disney
Disney is a conglomerate and media company that owns a variety of television stations like ABC, Disney Channel, and Disney XD. They are also owners of the Marvel and Star Wars franchises and own the ever-popular Disney theme parks found all around the world.
