Before casting Viggo Mortensen for the role, Russell Crowe was actually in the running to play the hero by turning it down. Crowe was one of the biggest movie stars at the time, fresh from his work in the epic film Gladiator.

Why did Russell Crowe turn down Aragorn?

While speaking on the Howard Stern Show in 2019, Crowe confirmed long-held suspicions that he was up for the role. The studio had heavy interest in him, but after a phone call with Jackson, he could gauge that the director had other stars in mind. It was due to this lack of interest that it didn't happen.

Who was originally supposed to play Aragorn?

Irish actor Stuart Townsend (Queen of the Damned, The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen) was originally cast as Aragorn and even made it a few weeks into production.

Who was supposed to be cast in Lord of the Rings?

What actor turned down Gladiator?

Mel Gibson – Gladiator

Not wanting to typecast in this kind of role, Mel Gibson turned down the part. The role later went to Russel Crowe, while the movie went on to win 5 Academy Awards. After the movie, Crowe went on to become one of the most bankable actors in Hollywood while Gibson's career went into steep decline.

Russell Crowe Was Shocked by His Own Stardom After “Gladiator”

Who turned down the role of Edward Scissorhands?

Gary Oldman Says He Turned Down Johnny Depp's 'Edward Scissorhands' Role: “I Didn't Get It”

Who turned down the role of elf?

Jim Carrey was reportedly the first choice to play Buddy

However, by the time the film went into production, Carrey had moved on from the role. Interestingly enough, Carrey did end up playing another iconic Christmas character: the Grinch in 2000's How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

Who turned down playing Gandalf?

As iconic as Christopher Plummer's career has been, there are some roles that an actor just can't bring themselves to accept. In the case of Plummer's career, he found himself turning down a role that even Sean Connery himself would pass, eventually allowing the part to go to Sir Ian McKellen.

Who all turned down the role of Gandalf?

I certainly wasn't the first choice for Gandalf,” McKellen said. “Tony Hopkins turned it down. Sean Connery certainly did. They're all coming out of the woodwork now, and I hope they feel silly.”

What actors auditioned for Aragorn?

Who auditioned for Legolas?

He first auditioned for the role of Faramir but the director, Peter Jackson, cast him as Legolas instead.

Who is the richest actor in Lord of the Rings?

Who was originally supposed to play Gandalf?

The Big Picture. According to Ian McKellen, Anthony Hopkins and Sean Connery turned down the role of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings. David Bowie, Christopher Plummer, and Patrick Stewart were also considered for the role.

What role did Russell Crowe turn down in Lord of the Rings?

Being the future King, Aragorn was the perfect version of an epic hero, having a healthy respect for fighting enemies in his path while also showing compassion to his Hobbit friends. Before casting Viggo Mortensen for the role, Russell Crowe was actually in the running to play the hero by turning it down.

Did Nicolas Cage turn down Aragorn?

Nicolas Cage Turned Down Lord of the Rings' Aragorn

According to the actor in an interview with Newsweek, they're simply "a waste of time." Instead, he chooses to look forward to whatever opportunities may arise next.

Why did Viggo Mortensen turn down Hobbit?

However, he had a very sensible reason for turning down the prequel—his character is nowhere to be found in original novel by J.R.R. Tolkien, which served as a prequel to the Rings saga and takes place 60 years earlier.

Why did Sean Connery refuse to play Gandalf?

Ultimately, he turned down the project because the story didn't resonate with him. Years after the critical and financial success of the series, Connery said he decided not to play the wizard because he "just didn't get it," even after reading both the book and the script.

Why did Sean Connery refuse Gandalf?

Sean Connery previously claimed he turned down the part of Gandalf because he “never understood” the world of Middle Earth. “I read the book. I read the script. I saw the movie.

How much was Sean Connery offered for Lord of the Rings?

However, Connery did not accept the role despite a lucrative offer. He was allegedly offered 30 million dollars per film, plus 15 percent of the box-office profits from the film saga. In other words, the decision cost him some 450m dollars.

What movie did Sean Connery turn down?

Sean Connery turning down The Matrix has become the stuff of legend. The former James Bond was offered a chance to appear in the franchise and ended up passing because he didn't understand the script.

Who else auditioned for Éowyn?

Action heroine and frequent Tarantino collaborator Uma Thurman was the first choice for Éowyn. However, she had to decline. She had just had her first child -- actress Maya Hawke -- and chose to stay home with her rather than fly out to New Zealand to film.

What wizard role did Sean Connery turn down?

In the original trilogy, Connery was offered the role of Gandalf, but he passed on playing the wise wizard as he reported didn't understand the script. With Connery's decision, not only did we lose out on seeing his performance as the white/gray wizard, but he supposedly lost out on a whopping $450 million.

Why did Jim Carrey not play Elf?

Jim Carrey was initially eyed to play Buddy in Elf.

However, it took another 10 years to get the project in motion, at which time Saturday Night Live star Will Ferrell was signed to star.

Why didn't Jim Carrey play Elf?

The original script for Elf was written with Jim Carrey in mind for the lead role, but it sat in production limbo for a decade before eventually being picked up by Ferrell.

Did James Caan really play the piano in Elf?

James Caan was a true delight. My favorite memory of him was shooting part of a montage for the end of Elf and he started playing piano — he played beautifully — I sang and he played and I was just astonished by his talent!