02/07/2025
🎬🎬 Platoon (1986)
Charlie Sheen recalls that his journey to starring in Platoon began thanks to his brother, Emilio Estevez. Emilio had originally been cast as Chris Taylor, the lead role, and was very enthusiastic about Oliver Stone’s Vietnam War film. However, due to scheduling conflicts, Emilio had to step away from the project, opening the door for Sheen to audition.
Sheen remembers how passionate Emilio was about the film, and although he initially landed the role, he couldn’t commit to it. When Sheen went to audition, Oliver Stone thought his acting was “too mannered” and told him he needed more experience. Sheen took that seriously, working on other films like The Boys Next Door and Lucas to improve his skills. Even then, his casting was only finalized after Willem Dafoe gave his approval. Sheen met Dafoe for the first time in the Philippines—Dafoe ran up, hugged him, and later confirmed that he was impressed with Sheen’s work.
Filming was a tough, transformative experience. The production included a brutal boot camp in the Philippine jungle, designed to mimic real military training. The cast were treated according to their in-film military ranks. Sheen described how hard it was, saying he truly felt like an FNG—“f*cking new guy.” Actors like Johnny Depp and Forest Whitaker initially assumed they’d be staying in a hotel at night, only to find themselves living in the jungle. Sheen believes this intense realism added to the film’s authenticity.
One unforgettable moment came during training when Forest Whitaker tried to cut open a coconut with a machete. He ended up slicing his thumb badly, bleeding heavily. It quickly turned into a chaotic call for a medic. Still, despite the physical and emotional challenges, the friendships formed during that boot camp remain strong even today.
Sheen also speaks with admiration about Oliver Stone, calling him one of the smartest people he’s ever met—though intense and sometimes prone to showing off his intelligence. Sheen enjoyed moments when he could make Stone laugh, offering some levity amid the director’s serious nature. He remembers watching Stone get excited during a particularly wild scene involving Kevin Dillon’s character in a village. Stone was off-camera, silently pumping his fists with excitement but careful not to ruin the shot.
By the time Sheen wrapped filming, the Philippines was on the verge of a political coup. Stone and his cinematographer even went out into the streets to film the unrest. Sheen remembers leaving the country and seeing it from the plane window, overwhelmed with emotion and relief that he had made it out safely.
The experience of Platoon stayed with him for a long time. Many Vietnam veterans later approached him, often with tears, thanking him for helping to tell their story. For Sheen, this wasn’t just a role—it became a deeply emotional tribute to the soldiers who lived through the horrors of war.
