Pulp Fiction Star John Travolta Reflects On Quentin Tarantino Casting Him 30 Years Later

John Travolta, who plays Vincent Vega in Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction, reflects on the movie's impact on his career. Pulp Fiction celebrated its 30th anniversary on October 14, 2024. The cult classic crime movie revived Travolta's career while paving the way to stardom for Samuel L. Jackson and Uma Thurman.

Reflecting on Tarantino's decision to cast him in the lead role, Travolta told Variety the offer back then was "certainly a next level, upper echelon opportunity more along the lines of the Oscar nomination-type performance." His last big role before Pulp was in Look Who's Talking, and Tarantino's offer "raised the bar" for him with "a second chance at a high-end career." Travolta revealed that he was "one of" the director's "favorite actors growing up" and may have something to do with Tarantino's love for "Pauline Kael." Check out what Travolta said:

The last success [I’d experienced] before 'Pulp Fiction' was the 'Look Who’s Talking' films, so getting the 'Pulp' offer was certainly a next-level, upper echelon opportunity more along the lines of the Oscar nomination-type performance of 'Saturday Night Fever' and 'Blow Out' integrity. I was one of his favorite actors growing up on 'Welcome Back Kotter,' 'Saturday Night Fever,' 'Grease' and 'Blow Out,' and he wanted to work with me. I think it helped his being a big Pauline Kael fan, and my being one of her favorite actors, so he raised the bar for me and gave me a second chance at a high-end career, one that he always wanted me to have."

Pulp Fiction Revived His Career

Close

Travolta's career received an upswing after starring in Look Who's Talking and the two follow-up sequels. However, he didn't star in any significant movies afterward. In his comment, Travolta acknowledged that the critically acclaimed Pulp Fiction may have saved his career. He was grateful that Tarantino came to him for the role.

Related Pulp Fiction In Chronological Order Quentin Tarantino's 1994 film Pulp Fiction is broken up into seven episodes, but what exactly is the chronological order of these episodes?

Pulp Fiction gave Travolta an opportunity to progress further. Without it, it might have taken years for Travolta to receive a project like that, if ever. The actor wouldn't have achieved the same level of fame he has today without starring in the cult classic Pulp Fiction. Afterward, Travolta went on to star in movies like Get Shorty, Face/Off, and Primary Colors. The Tarantino film turned out to be a career-defining moment for him, which the star confirmed in his comments.

Our Take On John Travolta's Performance In Pulp Fiction

He'll Always Be Vincent Vega

John Travolta is Vincent, and Vincent is John Travolta, just like Uma Thurman will always be the mobster's wife. Interestingly, the role of Vincent was originally written for Michael Madsen. Due to Madsen's scheduling conflict, the role later went to Travolta, which, in retrospect, was a gain for the movie. Travolta is part of what makes Pulp Fiction an iconic movie and one of the best ever made.

It's true that Vincent is a terrible hitman, who's incompetent at his job. He spent two years in Europe, and the biggest takeaway was where to buy beer, which says everything you need to know about the character. While Vincent might be the greatest screw-up in the film, Travolta succeeded in failing. Pulp Fiction made Travolta a star, and was ultimately nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor for his portrayal of Vincent.

Source: Variety