The making of Fargo at 30: ‘Man, you don’t give me this role, I’m gonna shoot your dog’

As the Oscar-winning Coen brothers classic reaches its three decade anniversary, stars of the film discuss the stories behind its production

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illiam H Macy was originally slated for the modest role of a detective in Fargo. Then the film’s directors, Joel and Ethan Coen, asked if he would like to read for the lead part of Jerry Lundegaard. “I said: ‘Boy, do I!’,” recalls Macy. He memorised the script that night and impressed the Coens but needed to seal the deal.

Macy heard the pair were in New York, got his “jolly ass” on a plane and deployed some Coen-esque dark humour. “I said, I’m worried you’re gonna screw up your movie by casting someone else. I knew Ethan had just gotten a little puppy and I said: ‘Man, you don’t give me this role, I’m gonna shoot your dog.’”

The Coens laughed and Macy got the role. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this week, Fargo is now revered as a snowbound noir that pushed the tonal boundaries of the comedy thriller, gave seminal roles to Macy and Frances McDormand and introduced the concept of “Minnesota Nice” to the world.