When a pop-culture property jumps from a gritty 1960s spy-fi television show to a bloated 1999 steampunk blockbuster, the actors caught in the middle carry the legacy. The journey of the performers who brought James West and Artemus Gordon to life reveals intense physical demands, missed casting opportunities, and distinct cultural shifts.
Understanding the real stories behind the actors requires looking past the box-office scorecards and diving into the casting choices, on-set friction, and television history that defined both iterations. If you're wondering how the original secret service agents differ from their big-screen counterparts, the details lie in the contrasting approaches of Robert Conrad, Will Smith, and the supporting ensemble.
The Original Duo: Robert Conrad and Ross Martin
The backbone of the 1965 television series rested on the dynamic between Robert Conrad and Ross Martin. Conrad played James T. West with a swagger that relied heavily on his athletic background. Before acting, Conrad was a fierce Golden Gloves boxer and stuntman, which meant he performed the vast majority of his own brutal fight scenes and high-risk stunts.
Ross Martin brought a theatrical, chameleon-like quality to Artemus Gordon. Martin was a master of disguise and dialects, often disappearing so completely into minor characters within the same episode that casual viewers didn't realize it was him.
On-Set Injuries and Real-World Danger
The physical toll on the original set was remarkably high. Conrad didn't just pretend to fight; he took real hits. During the filming of the second season, Conrad suffered a severe skull fracture during a stunt sequence when a rope swing went wrong. Production had to temporarily write around his injury, utilizing Ross Martin more heavily and leaning on body doubles until Conrad recovered.
The 1999 Reboot: High Stakes and Casting Shifts
Decades later, Warner Bros. attempted to resurrect the franchise with a massive budget and a completely different tone. The casting pipeline for the 1999 film went through several major iterations before locking in Will Smith as Jim West and Kevin Kline as Artemus Gordon.
Early in development, Mel Gibson was attached to star as Jim West under director Richard Donner. When that version fell apart, George Clooney was initially announced as Artemus Gordon. Clooney ultimately walked away from the project to pursue other films, opening the door for Kevin Kline to take on a dual role as both Gordon and President Ulysses S. Grant.
Will Smith and the Pressure of the Blockbuster
Will Smith stepped into the role fresh off the massive success of Men in Black. However, transitioning from a sleek sci-fi comedy to a post-Civil War steampunk western created unique friction. Smith later admitted in interviews that choosing Wild Wild West over The Matrix—where he was originally offered the role of Neo—was a regret, largely because the production relied too heavily on studio mandates and high-concept gadgetry rather than grounded character arcs.
The Villains: Michael Dunn Versus Kenneth Branagh
No discussion of the franchise's actors is complete without looking at the antagonists. The television series featured Michael Dunn as Dr. Miguelito Loveless, a brilliant, vengeful mastermind of short stature. Dunn's performance turned Loveless into an iconic television villain, blending genuine menace with sharp intellect.
In the 1999 film, Kenneth Branagh took over the role as Dr. Arliss Loveless, reimagined as a wheelchair-bound Confederate veteran. Branagh leaned heavily into theatrical scenery-chewing, providing a stark contrast to Dunn's nuanced television portrayal.
Common Misconceptions About the Cast
- Did Will Smith do his own stunts? Unlike Robert Conrad, who insisted on handling dangerous physical choreography, Smith utilized stunt doubles for major action sequences due to studio insurance protocols on a $170 million budget.
- Was the 1999 movie a direct sequel? No. Despite sharing character names, the film completely reset the continuity, turning the lighthearted spy caper into an effects-driven summer tentpole.
- Did the original actors make cameos? Neither Conrad nor Martin appeared in the 1999 film. Conrad openly criticized the reboot's reliance on CGI over genuine stunt work and character chemistry.
You can read more about classic television preservation through the Library of Congress and check out historical production archives via IMDb.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did George Clooney leave the 1999 film?
Clooney dropped out of the project after creative differences regarding how the character of Artemus Gordon should be handled and how the script was evolving during pre-production.
How many episodes of the original series were made?
The original Wild Wild West ran for four seasons from 1965 to 1969, totaling 104 episodes before CBS canceled it due to network concerns over television violence.
Did Ross Martin really change his appearance for every disguise?
Yes. Martin was a classically trained actor who studied makeup application and vocal coaching extensively, allowing him to create distinct, believable alter-egos for Gordon in almost every episode.
