David Letterman Asked to Be in the New Wes Anderson Movie

While David Letterman is renowned for being one of the best talk show hosts of the 20th century, he doesn’t seem to get much acclaim for his acting skills. Although, in retrospect, the Academy really dropped the ball by not recognizing his work in that one scene from Cabin Boy.

But apparently, Letterman came surprisingly close to landing a role in an upcoming film by one of the most acclaimed filmmakers working today: Wes Anderson’s The Phoenician Scheme. How did the man behind “Stupid Pet Tricks” nearly end up in a movie starring Emma Stone, Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson and Jeffrey Wright? Well, he simply asked.

Letterman recently guested on The Adam Buxton Podcast, and revealed that he’s a massive fan of comedian, writer and filmmaker Richard Ayoade. “I found him via YouTube and happily researched everything I could find video-wise that he was part of,” Letterman explained. “And (I) just fell in love with the guy.” 

Letterman even watched every episode of Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace twice, because, as he told Buxton, “the first time through I was just puzzled.”

“Also I’m very fond of (Ayoade) just as a guy,” Letterman continued. “Now I’ve only spent time with him once, but I cherish that. And (I’m) constantly trying to find ways to manipulate myself into his life. And I had a pretty good shot.”

That shot, it turns out, was Anderson’s film, which features both Ayoade and Anderson regular Bill Murray, who just so happens to be one of Letterman’s old pals. Letterman called up Murray and told him that he was about to shoot a movie with his friend, Richard Ayoade. “And I don’t really have the right to introduce myself as his friend,” Letterman admitted, “but Bill doesn’t know.”

Letterman was so obsessed with hanging out with Ayoade that he wanted a small background part for himself, just so he could be on set. “Would you talk to Wes Anderson?” Letterman asked Murray. “I would like to be in this movie.” 

While Letterman acknowledged that his actions were “pathetic,” Murray agreed to look into it. A month later, the Groundhog Day star told Letterman that after he asked Anderson about the idea, he “couldn’t stop smiling.” Letterman took that as a good sign. “So now I think, ‘Oh, this is great. It’ll be me, it’ll be Bill Murray and it’ll be Richard Ayoade in Berlin.’ I mean, let’s go, let’s make that movie.” Unfortunately, Letterman’s wife became ill, and he was therefore “unable to go to Berlin.”

Thankfully, Anderson didn’t rub salt into Letterman’s wound by casting Jay Leno in his place.