Smokey is the Bandit (lost footage from original version of 'Smokey and the Bandit Part 3'; 1983)

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Rare photo of Gleason in the Bandit costume.

Status: Lost

Smokey is the Bandit Part 3 is the third installment in the popular Smokey and the Bandit car chase franchise released in 1983. Universal Pictures ordered a third installment, but two of the stars of the film, Burt Reynolds and Sally Field, declined to participate due to a contract dispute. Jackie Gleason, who normally played Sheriff Buford T. Justice, was tasked with taking on Reynolds role of the Bandit as well.

When the film was shown to test audiences, it was reported that they were confused by the concept, so some additional footage was shot with Jerry Reed's character Cledus filling in as the new Bandit.

The film's original premise circulated for years as part of Hollywood lore and was believed by many to simply be a myth. However, in 2010, a teaser trailer surfaced on YouTube for the original premise with the original title. Afterwards, a photo of Gleason in the Bandit costume found its way online. Otherwise, the original alternate footage has never been seen by the public. An online petition has been set-up to try and convince Universal Pictures to release the original version of the film.

Teaser Trailer

Rare teaser trailer for the film's original concept.