If you watch The Magnificent Seven today, it’s hard to imagine anyone but Steve McQueen playing Vin Tanner. He’s the epitome of "cool"—the guy who doesn’t need to say much because his smirk does the heavy lifting. But back in 1960, McQueen wasn't the "King of Cool" yet. He was just a hungry TV actor with a chip on his shoulder and a massive ego that was about to collide head-on with Yul Brynner.
The story of how McQueen actually got into the movie is legendary in its own right. Honestly, it sounds like something out of a bad heist film. At the time, McQueen was under contract for the TV western Wanted: Dead or Alive. The producers wouldn't let him out of his contract to film a movie. Most actors would have just grumbled and moved on. Not Steve.
He allegedly crashed his car—a rented Cadillac—into a bank building to "suffer" a whiplash injury. This gave him a medical leave of absence from the TV show. While "recuperating" in a neck brace, he secretly snuck off to Mexico to film with director John Sturges. It was a massive gamble. If he'd been caught, his career would have been over before it really started.
The War of Egos: McQueen vs. Brynner
Once he got to the set, things didn't get any smoother. Yul Brynner was the undisputed star. He had the Oscar, the fame, and the lead role of Chris Adams. McQueen was just one of the "young bucks" brought in to fill out the ranks.
He hated that.
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McQueen was obsessed with the fact that he only had about seven lines in the original script. He felt buried. To fix this, he decided that if he couldn't outspeak Brynner, he would out-act him through "business." In the world of acting, "business" refers to all those little physical movements a character does. McQueen turned it into a weapon.
The Art of the Scene-Steal
You've probably seen the scene where the Seven are crossing a stream on horseback. While Brynner is stoically leading the way, McQueen leans down, scoops up water in his hat, and douses himself. It’s a tiny detail. But your eyes immediately go to him.
He was constantly doing this. He’d rattle shotgun shells while Brynner was delivering a serious speech. He’d check his gun, fiddle with his hat, or look at the sky—anything to keep the audience from looking at the guy with the top billing.
Brynner wasn't an idiot. He knew exactly what was happening. He reportedly grew so paranoid that he hired an assistant whose only job was to count how many times McQueen touched his hat while Brynner was talking.
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"When you work in a scene with Yul, you're supposed to stand perfectly still ten feet away," McQueen once said. "Well, I don't work that way."
The tension got physical, too. Brynner was shorter than McQueen, so he often built little mounds of dirt to stand on during their two-shots so he’d look taller. Every time Brynner walked away, McQueen would casually kick the dirt pile flat. It was petty. It was childish. But it worked. By the time the movie hit theaters, people weren't just talking about the guy from The King and I. They were talking about the drifter with the blue eyes who stole every frame.
Why Vin Tanner Still Matters
McQueen’s portrayal of Vin Tanner changed the way we look at western heroes. Before this, you had the John Wayne type—big, loud, and moralistic. Or you had the stoic Brynner type. McQueen brought something different: a sense of relaxed, athletic danger.
He wasn't trying to be a hero. He was just a guy who was good at what he did and didn't care much for the rules. That "outsider" energy is what made him a superstar. It’s why he was cast in The Great Escape a few years later, which cemented his legacy.
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Interestingly, the relationship between Chris and Vin on screen is one of mutual respect and friendship. Off-screen, it was a cold war. Yet, that friction added a layer of reality to the film. You can feel the competitive energy between the actors, and it translates into a group of mercenaries who are actually testing each other.
A Deathbed Reconciliation
The feud lasted for decades. They didn't work together again. But in 1980, when McQueen was dying of cancer, he did something unexpected. He called Yul Brynner.
He thanked him. McQueen admitted that Brynner could have easily had him kicked off The Magnificent Seven for his behavior, but he didn't. He acknowledged that the movie made his career. Brynner reportedly told him, "I am the king, and you are the rebel prince." It was a rare moment of grace for two of the toughest guys in Hollywood history.
What You Can Learn from the "King of Cool"
If you’re looking at The Magnificent Seven through a modern lens, there are a few things that still stand out about McQueen’s performance that apply to anyone trying to stand out in a crowded field:
- Details Matter: McQueen knew that people notice small, authentic actions more than big, rehearsed speeches.
- Create Your Own Space: He didn't wait for the script to give him permission to be interesting.
- Know Your Strengths: He knew he had a physical presence that Brynner lacked, and he leaned into it.
Next Steps for Classic Film Fans
If you want to see the "scene-stealing" in action, go back and watch the funeral wagon scene specifically. Watch McQueen’s hands. He’s constantly checking the rifle, shifting his weight, and reacting to the environment. It’s a masterclass in non-verbal storytelling. After that, compare his performance to his role in The Great Escape—you’ll see the exact same "business" techniques he perfected in the Mexican desert.