Why Michael Madsen Rejected A Role In Quentin Tarantino's Pulp Fiction

When director Quentin Tarantino was assembling his first major movie, "Reservoir Dogs," he needed a strong ensemble of actors. After all, the film was as much a character study as it was a black comedy crime caper. With Harvey Keitel's help, the director set up a series of casting sessions that put him onto a young actor named Michael Madsen. Tarantino quickly cast the emerging star as the ruthless Mr. Blonde, aka Toothpick — better known to fans as Vic Vega.

Following the success of "Reservoir Dogs," Tarantino — who has shown a penchant for casting his established favorites over his career — brought Madsen back for more, casting him in the 2003 "Kill Bill" duology and, later, the dark Western "The Hateful Eight" and "Once Upon a Time... in Hollywood." Known for playing gruff tough guys,