“You’re Crazy. It’s Dick Wolf”: Scott Eastwood Explains Leaving Chicago PD After 1 Episode & Rejecting Series Lead Role

Scott Eastwood has explained why he left Chicago P.D. after one episode and rejected the series' lead role, and how long his role would have lasted for. Eastwood appeared in the One Chicago universe as Officer Jim Barnes, originally debuting during two episodes of Chicago Fire. While he made an uncredited appearance in season 1, episode 1 of Chicago P.D., he ultimately didn't appear in any future episodes, despite the possibility of having a major role in the franchise. He's since gone on to star in various high-profile movies, like Fast X and 1992.

Speaking with CBRabout his new action film, Alarum, Eastwood explained that he didn't want to move to Chicago nor get tied down with a multi-year contract on Chicago P.D. The actor explained he would have had to remain on the series for over six years, a direction he simply didn't want to push his career in. He offers advice by saying to "follow your gut," which is the reason he credits for turning down the show's lead role. Check out what Eastwood had to say below:

I was offered one of those lead roles and it shot in Chicago... and at the time I was like, I can't do that. I don't want to move to Chicago. I'm not going to sign up for something [for] six and a half years. That's just too long. I don't know what I'm going to be doing in six months from now, let alone six and a half years. So I said no -- and they were all like, you're crazy. It's Dick Wolf. And I was like, well, that's not my path. That's great, but that's not my journey.
It's just like anything in this industry: follow your gut, always. Your gut will never lead you wrong. Any time I've not followed my gut, I've regretted it. When I've said yes to a movie that I didn't think was as good or doesn't turn out to be as good as I thought it would be... Just follow your gut. I think it's true for anything in life.

What Eastwood's Statement Says About His Decision To Leave Chicago P.D.

He Had Different Aspirations For His Career

Little Nobody (Scott Eastwood) looks confused in The Fate of the Furious. — Scott Eastwood in The Fate of the Furious pic

Eastwood's statement explains his short-lived role in the cast of Chicago P.D., the actor not wanting to be tied down to the same role for six-and-a-half years. Following his exit from the show, he went on to star in a variety of movies across different genres, from 2015's romantic drama The Longest Ride, to 2016's biopic thriller Snowden. He would make his debut in the Fast & Furious franchise as Little Nobody in Fate of the Furious, while later having a major role in the sci-fi action movie Pacific Rim Uprising.

Despite leaving the police procedural so quickly, Eastwood has continued to have a multifaceted career across film, something his statement indicates was his goal all along. While reviews for Alarum have been negative, it's clear from his previous, better-received movies that his career isn't defined by one, singular project. This extends to his quick exit from Chicago P.D. and decision not to return, with Jason Beghe's Hank Voight becoming the lead anchor for the series after his departure. Even so, his time on the series is memorable because of how short it was.

Eastwood's next movies are the action thriller film Tin Soldier and Western crime drama Wind River: The Next Chapter.

Our Take On Scott Eastwood's Explanation For His Chicago P.D. Departure

The Star's Reasoning Is Understandable

Scott Eastwood looking nervous in Alarum

Although it's disappointing Eastwood isn't going to return to Chicago P.D., his reasoning for leaving is understandable. By broadening his career path, the actor has been able to bring a multitude of memorable characters across various genres to the big screen. This goal appears to be something he's set on continuing, even if movies like Alarum don't get great critical reception. Locking into his career path, the actor is clearly confident about the decision he made in dropping out of the series.

Source: CBR