The script only stated that the character was supposed to dance, but the specific details of the scene were almost entirely left up to the actor.
The cast of Reservoir Dogs recently reunited at the Tribeca Film Festival (via Variety), and Michael Madsen directly addressed the director of the film to point out how Mr. Blonde’s most iconic scene in the movie was entirely made up on the spot.
Although it was clearly a daunting task for Michael Madsen prior to shooting, he managed to nail the sequence in a way that has made Mr. Blonde one of Tarantino’s most enduring characters — and infinitely more terrifying than his brother, Vincent Vega — by taking inspiration from legendary actor James Cagney.