One of the more entertaining adventure films of the decade was released in 1984, in which a likeable trio of stars venture into the depths of the jungle. The hunt for the green diamond is sometimes dismissed as an Indiana Jones offshoot, but it captivates with its very own (confrontational) charm. It goes on that too Chemistry between the two main actors Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner back. This combination was not originally planned.
Before Michael Douglas, Sylvester Stallone was supposed to play the lead role
Superman Christopher Reeves and even Clint Eastwood were considered for the role of hunter Jack Colton. Another superstar of the 1980s was also on the wish list. Rambo and Rocky actor Sylvester Stallone was one of the most sought-after action actors on the planet at the time.
20th Century Pictures
On the hunt for the golden diamond
When he was offered the lead role in Chasing the Green Diamond, he turned it down. Instead, he filmed the musical comedy The Whiz with Dolly Parton, who was panned by critics and ignored by audiences. Years later he still regretted the decision. In a Q&A with AintitcoolNews he made it clear in 2006: “I wish The Whiz had been on the hunt for the green diamond.” He confirmed this assessment to Empire in 2014. The adventure film grossed $115 million, the comedy only $21 million.
That’s what Chasing the Green Diamond is all about
In Chasing the Green Diamond, Kathleen Turner plays the heroine Joan, author of romantic adventure novels. Her life changes abruptly when she receives a treasure map from her murdered brother-in-law. Shortly thereafter, she receives a shocking call from her sister Elaine (Mary Ellen Trainor), who is being held hostage by smugglers named Ira (Zack Norman) and Ralph (Danny DeVito) in the Colombian city of Cartagena. The treasure map that shows the way to one mysterious place called El Corazon shows is demanded by the kidnappers.
To free Elaine, Joan decides to get on the plane and fight her way through the dangerous jungles of South America. She is supported by adventurer Jack Colton (Michael Douglas).
The adventure film streams with a Disney+ subscription
The adventure film is available in the Disney+ catalog. The same applies to the sequel Chasing the Jewel of the Nile, which was released in 1985. Director Robert Zemeckis (Back to the Future) didn’t return, but the star trio around Kathleen Turner, Michael Douglas and Danny De Vito did.
The three also filmed the divorce classic The War of the Roses together, which you can buy and rent from various providers.