Here’s what Bridges had to say on the theory:
“Yeah, he’s a figment of Walter’s imagination… And the last few times I’ve seen the movie, I’ve run that theme—and it kind of works, man. Because the Dude never—only one time does he ever acknowledge Donnie. Just a ‘Thank you, Donnie.’
But that’s only to bust Walter’s balls. He knows his friend has this hallucination… this PTSD buddy, and he loves his friend.
Every once in a while, he’s gotta let him in.
There’s even a scene I imagine, where the Dude goes back to the mortician without Walter. He says, ‘Look, I got a friend who’s mentally challenged. He’s about to put this ghost in his mind to rest. I’ll give you 50 bucks, just play along.’
The ashes, the Folgers can, the Stranger saying he’s sorry about Donnie—even that fits. Because the Stranger lives outside time. He can’t be talking about Vietnam.
So next time you watch it, run that scenario. It checks out, man.”
Jeff Bridges Just Gave His Blessing To A 'Big Lebowski' Theory That Donnie Isn't Real - BroBiblehttps://brobible.com/culture/article/jeff-bridges-just-gave-his-blessing-to-a-big-lebowski-theory-that-donnie-isnt-real/