TRIVIA---in the Vietnam War movie FLIGHT OF THE INTRUDER, director John Milius chose his friend Ed O'Neill (MARRIED...WITH CHILDREN) to play the JAG prosecutor in the dramatic court martial scene. When the test audience saw O'Neill appear, they howled with laughter because they saw henpecked loser Al Bundy instead of the JAG prosecutor. The role was then recast with Fred Dalton Thompson who played the head district attorney in LAW & ORDER.
A Paramount Pictures source said, "He's so recognized with the comedy series that marketing research screenings played weirdly. When he came on screen the audiences laughed at him, even though he was playing a serious role as a Navy captain presiding over a court-martial hearing. They had to recast the role after the film was shot."
O'Neill said, "People had no idea I was in it. As soon as they see me, it's Al Bundy in the Army. They crack up. The setup was insane."
A Paramount Pictures source said, "He's so recognized with the comedy series that marketing research screenings played weirdly. When he came on screen the audiences laughed at him, even though he was playing a serious role as a Navy captain presiding over a court-martial hearing. They had to recast the role after the film was shot."
O'Neill said, "People had no idea I was in it. As soon as they see me, it's Al Bundy in the Army. They crack up. The setup was insane."