Francis Ford Coppola, the director of the beloved film classic ‘The Outsiders,’ has recently shared new footage of auditions from over 40 years ago, offering a unique glimpse into the casting process and revealing insights about working with the young stars.

Coppola took to Instagram to post the video, reminiscing about the casting process for the 1983 film. He described a unique approach where all the actors were brought together on a soundstage and took turns reading for different roles. This unconventional method led to a positive and collaborative atmosphere among the young talents, fostering a natural respect and camaraderie.

The newly released footage features 17-year-old Matt Dillon in an audition, along with appearances by Ralph Macchio, Diane Lane, Tom Cruise, Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze, and Emilio Estevez. The actors can be seen reading lines from the film, based on the novel by S.E. Hinton.

Notably, Anthony Michael Hall, who later became part of the Brat Pack in the 1980s, read for the lead role of Ponyboy, which was ultimately portrayed by C. Thomas Howell.

Several stars from the film, including Howell, Macchio, and Lowe, expressed gratitude and nostalgia in response to Coppola’s post, emphasizing the lasting impact of the auditions and the film experience on their careers and personal lives.

As fans and film enthusiasts celebrate the 40th anniversary of ‘The Outsiders,’ the release of this rare audition footage has provided a fascinating look back at the early days of some of Hollywood’s most iconic actors.