Basically, Bill Pullman got the "Spaceballs" (1987) role because producer/writer/director Mel Brooks couldn't get either of the other guys he wanted. That might seem harsh, until you know that the other guys he wanted were Tom Cruise and Tom Hanks.

Speaking at a Q&A session after a 2011 screening of the movie, Pullman said that Brooks told him he was only picked after Cruise and Hanks, both huge stars at the time, refused. "He imagined he was going to get a big box office draw at the time and I think he was hurt that they didn't take him up on it, you know?"

His account of the story gets even sadder from there. "But then it configured differently, attracting two of the big comics at that time: John Candy and Rick Moranis. Once that was secured, then he said, 'Heck, I'll get somebody nobody knows!' And I got a chance to do it."

That's overstating it a little, though. He wasn't a complete unknown, having appeared in a supporting role in the hit comedy "Ruthless People" the year before.

And, of course, he wouldn't remain unknown for long -- his star rose pretty quickly after starring as the dashing rogue Lone Star in the now-classic space spoof.

However, according to Pullman, that wasn't necessarily thanks to "Spaceballs." He lamented the fact that it was panned by the critics and generally failed to make a splash at the time. "It was disappointing, and there were fans, but they weren't as vocal as they became later on."

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