Three Amigos remains one of the most popular comedies from the 1980s. Directed by John Landis at the height of his directorial prowess, the film follows a trio of bumbling movie stars in 1916 who discover that life imitates art when called upon to travel to Mexico and save a small village from a ruthless gang of bandits.
Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, and Martin Short star in the film, which grossed roughly $40 million in cumulative worldwide grosses since its release in December of 1986. But based on the production history, the film could have turned out completely different.
Spielberg Almost Directed
When the screenplay was written for Three Amigos in the early 1980s, Steven Spielberg contemplated directing the film. In the end, he opted to make E.T. instead.
In subsequent interviews, Spielberg revealed his dream casting for the project had he directed the film. Steve Martin would have remained as Lucky Day, but Spielberg wanted Bill Murray to play Dusty Bottoms (Chevy Chase) and Robin Williams to play Ned Nederlander (Martin Short). Five years after the film, Spielberg hired Williams to star in Hook.
Original Title & Cast Members
According to a 1980 interview with Playboy Magazine, Steve Martin revealed that the original title of Three Amigos was The Three Caballeros, the same name as the 1944 Disney animated film.
In the same interview, Martin claimed the film was originally set to star himself as Lucky, Dan Aykroyd as Dusty, and John Belushi as Ned. When Belushi passed away in 1981, he was initially replaced by John Candy. When Candy was deemed too big to ride a horse, he suggested Martin Short take his place instead. Had Short not been available, Landis would have asked Rick Moranis to play the part. Finally, when Aykroyd became unavailable, he was replaced by Chevy Chase.
Pure Prairie League Homage
One of the most memorable scenes in Three Amigos includes the German gunslinger getting into a tussle inside the Mexican cantina. But very people seemed to notice that the antagonistic cowboy that taunts the German was molded after a recurring figure seen on every album cover of the 1970s band Pure Praire League.
In specific, the character in the film (Michael Wren) is patterned after the character of Luke, the mustachioed cowboy who graces every album cover of Pure Prairie League.
Singing Turtle
Another iconic scene from the film includes the cowboys crooning in the desert, in which several of the surrounding animals begin singing along. According to director John Landis, this was not in the script but an idea that he came up with while filming.
Landis has publicly stated "That singing turtle was my idea. It's a desert setting so we needed lots of animals. The animals were on set with handlers and wires so they didn't run, but I remember the coyote was the most difficult."
Randy Newman's Involvement
Famed musician Randy Newman wore several hats while making Three Amigos. Along with Steve Martin and SNL creator Lorne Michaels, Newman co-wrote the screenplay for the film. It's his one and only screenwriting credit to date.
In addition, while iconic composer Elmer Bernstein scored the film, Newman wrote all of the original songs featured in the film including "My Little Buttercup," "Blue Shadows," and "The Ballad of the Three Amigos." Newman also provided the voice for the Singing Bush in the film, although his voice was digitally altered so it wasn't too recognizable.
Sam Kinison's Role
Controversial stand-up comedian Sam Kinison filmed a role in Three Amigos that was ultimately cut from the final version. According to Landis' interview with Empire in 2016, he has no idea why the scene was excised.
Kinison played a cannibalistic Mountain Man who stalks the three amigos during their time in Mexico. Adorned with chicken bones and bloody axes in each hand, the cannibal traps Lucky and Ned, who in turn call out for Dusty to shoot him dead. Dusty eventually does so, leading to a long scene where the Mountain Man shows Dusty pictures of his beloved family during his final moments.
Fran Drescher's Role
Comedienne Fran Drescher also filmed a prominent role for Three Amigos that was ultimately cut from the final version. Her role was included in part of the much longer opening sequence that was pared down for time purposes.
Based on Lina Lamont from Singing in the Rain, Drescher's character Miss Rene was meant to be a rival actress of the three amigos who appeared in several westerns and costume dramas. Her character would have been introduced at the beginning as the Amigos walk through the ornate movie studio and see her filming a scene in a Marie Antoinette costume.
Steve Martin's Hearing
Due to the loud gunshots on the set of the film, the pistol-shooting scene where Lucky gets shot in the shoulder in particular, Steve Martin contracted tinnitus while making the movie.
Tinnitus is a condition in which phantom sounds are heard when no external source of sound is present. Martin claimed that one either gets used to the condition or they go insane. Fortunately, filming was not delayed and Martin completed his performance.
Difficulties On Set
Despite the lighthearted energy and fun-loving tone of the film, things weren't all rosy on the set of Three Amigos. In fact, there were several difficulties between the lead actors and director John Landis while filming the movie.
The most public example includes Chevy Chase, who at one point refused to utter a line because he thought that it would make his character Dusty Bottoms "look like a moron." After threatening to make Martin Short recite the line, Chase finally agreed to say it himself.
John Landis' Legal Woes
While editing Three Amigos, John Landis was on trial for the infamous tragedy that befell the production of Twilight Zone: The Movie. As a result of a stunt accident on the set of the portion of that film Landis directed, star Vic Morrow was fatally decapitated.
As a result of his time away from the editing room at night, Orion Pictures began editing Three Amigos without Landis' consent. Many scenes were cut against Landis' wishes, including the Sam Kinison and Fran Drescher subplots.