Were there any famous actors who wanted to be in the film and didn't get a look in?

[Rosolas]

Well I think the question says it all really. <P>Have any of you Barrow-downers heard if any famous actors tried everything thery could to get a part in the film but didn't get anywhere? Cos I haven't heard anything, or is The Lord of the Rings one of those films that crept up on all of us without us realising it?<P> <p>[ January 23, 2003: Message edited by: Rosolas ]

[Elven-Maiden]

Apparently, David Bowie wanted to play Elrond! <P>*cowers in terror as scenes from Labyrinth in SPANDEX flash through my scarred memory*<P>I'm glad he didn't get the part!

[Gorwingel]

The Beatles wanted to make a LOTR film, that would have been interesting.

[Lush]

"I wanna hold your ring!" Har har. <P>Seriously, Vin Diesel wanted to play Aragorn. Har har har har har.

[Iargwath]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>Seriously, Vin Diesel wanted to play Aragorn. Har har har har har.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE><BR>My goodness, that would have been tragic <BR>And as many of you know, Stuart Townsend was cast to play Aragorn and they actually shot scenes with him as well. But he was turned down after they reaslied he wasnt the right Aragorn. Im glad they made that choice. <BR><A HREF="http://viggomortensen.narod.ru/images/townsend-aragorn.jpg" TARGET=_blank>Stuart </A> looks more like a biblical character than Aragorn in that whole outfit...<p>[ January 27, 2003: Message edited by: Iargwath ]

[Lalaith]

I'd never seen that pic before, thanks!<BR>I'm glad too. Way too young. Like a boyband member with a stick-on beard...

[Jurion]

I hereby nominate Vin Diesel as one of the worst actors of all times and I'm very glad he didn't play Aragorn.

[dunadan_aragorn]

ACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THAT PIC BURNS MY POOR EYESES! THIS GUY IS SCARY! THANK HEAVENS FOR VIGGO MORTONSEN!

[Laialthriel]

Oh. My. Word. <P>They even <I>considered</I> him? Like...<I> cast</I> him? Ooookay...he must have been a good actor. <P>All I can say is I'm really glad I didn't have to endure two, three and a half hour movies with him in them. I reaaaally like Viggo.<P>Laialthriel

[Silmarien]

sorry guys but I don't think he looks that bad. But when you've got used to something ('specially something so central to all our lives) it seems to clash with any other ideas. He's a good actor as far as I've seen.

[Birdland]

OK, so my first thought when I saw the pic was "hair band Aragorn". But that's just one picture. Hard to judge this performance by that. <P>I thought Townsend and P.J. had "artistic differences", which I thought meant a disagreement over how the role was played. But he does look pretty young to be playing the world-weary future king of M-E. <P>I do know one thing - if he had played the role, he would have given ElijahFro a run for his money in the dorm poster market.

[Shy Hobbit]

EEEP! Yes after seeing that I'm glad for Viggo. Hey, I'm just glad that this is one movie that Tom Cruise didn't manage to invade. Also be thankful that they didn't cast Justin Timberlake as Legolas.

[Laialthriel]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>But when you've got used to something ('specially something so central to all our lives) it seems to clash with any other ideas.<BR> <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Silmarien, you are right. It is very easy to overreact about something like this. He just looks so <I>strange</I> in Aragorn's clothes. I think Viggo Mortensen did a superb job as Aragorn and I am glad he was cast in the role. <P>I wonder what the actor (I don't remember his name) thinks now that he can watch the movie(s) and think 'That was me for a little while...' Just a thought. Btw, what other movies was this guy in? I've never seen him before.<P>Laialthriel

[Dimannûnien]

Stuart Townsend was in Queen of the Damned, playing Lestat, vampire cum rock star. Quite fetching in a pair of leather trousers.

[Coral]

*sigh* Poor Stuart couldn't even play Lestat right...Makes you wonder what PJ and company were on when they casted him

[harlindon]

Well I am really glad that Viggo played Aragorn. Orlando Bloom originaly wanted to play Farimir but it was already taken so he choose to try out for Legolas. Interesting,huh.

[Airerûthiel]

* Iben Hjejle (star of High Fidelity) auditioned for Éowyn<BR>* Johnny Vegas (tubby British comedian, Shooting Stars regular for last two series) auditioned for Samwise Gamgee<BR>* Billy and Dom were interviewed as general hobbits - NOT Frodo as some rumours say<BR>* Sean Connery was allegedly approached for Gandalf<BR>* Apparently, Uma Thurman was considered for Éowyn<BR>* Oh, and there were rumours that Daniel Day-Lewis thought about Aragorn<P>(NB: All above are taken from the January 2003 issue of Empire)

[Airerûthiel]

NOT a double post!!<P>Stuart Townsend also starred in a film called Shooting Fish, made in about 1997...just in case anyone was interested. And he DOES look really strange as Aragorn! (no offence to Stuart Townsend or any of his 'fans' if you're reading this btw)

[doug*platypus]

Weird! Still, it's probably his least flattering picture. Yeah, he does look strange as Aragorn. But doesn't Viggo? If anything, I think the animated Aragorn beats both of them. I can't decide if Stuart looks more like Blackadder, or Baldrick!<P>Stuart Townsend had probably read the books before turning up (Viggo glanced at them on the plane to NZ). His artistic differences with PJ were probably something like "What in god's name was wrong with the Aragorn in the book?!" I'd definitely be keen for someone with a less ethnic accent, though. Viggo's mixed bag of enunciation comes off stronger than even Liv Tyler's. It's the English language version, after all. Why didn't they just cast Chow Yun-Fat as Legolas?<P>Interesting about the chick from High Fidelity as a possible Éowyn. She definitely looks the part, but might be a little too small and wussy for it. I always thought Cate Blanchett would have been perfect (not that she wasn't perfect for Galadriel as well!) - <A HREF="http://forum.barrowdowns.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic&f=4&t=001594" TARGET=_blank>see here</A>.

[King_Elessar]

Um, on your link Iargwath, what language is it in and where can you find the pic???<P>Elessar

[Neferchoirwen]

Oh so he's the guy who was supposed to be Aragorn!<P>Yep. Too young, and too much like Jesus Christ!

[Daisy Brambleburr]

It certainly is weird seeing that picture after getting so used to Viggo as Aragorn. I dare say I could get used to it, but Viggo is a perfect Aragorn in my eyes.

[Horse-Maiden of the Shire]

Stuart Townsend looks a little too young to play Aragorn. And the hair looks extremely, extremely fake. On Viggo it looked real. No offense, but Stuart looks like he's wearing a rug.

[Meela]

Uma Thurman? Eek! There are only two people who could possibly play Eowyn besides Miranda: David Wenham and myself.<P>Stuart Townsend: nice guy, wrong for Aragorn. Oh so wrong.<P>I can't imagine Daniel Day Lewis in the part, but I don't think he'd be as good as Viggo, although he would do a decent job, I'm sure.

[Arathiriel]

I heard somewhere that they originally offered Sean Connery the role of Gandalf - not that I have a thing against the man but thank Eru he declined so Ian McKellen could take it instead as I can imagine <B>NO</B> other as my favorite wizard!<P>I also heard that they originally turned Elijah Wood down for the role of Frodo as it seems his accent wasn't all that great - don't know who they originally had in mind to play Frodo through...

[Oddwen]

John Rhys-Davies originally auditioned for Denethor, so he could have just a small part in such an incredible venture.<BR>I was reading in the archives of Theonering.net, and almost everything was about how Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman were playing Faramir and Eowyn.<BR>I thought Dominic Monaghan auditioned for Frodo? I know that Kevin Max of DC Talk did. <I>That</I> would have been freaky.<P><I>"Ohhh woah, seve meeee...."</I>

[The Only Real Estel]

For those basketball fans out there: Doesn't the pic of Stuart all dressed up for Aragorn look like Tony Parker of the San Antoino Spurs ( just the face )? Sometimes wierd things like that just strike me .<BR> For all the LotR fans: Actually PJ was going to go with Stuart, but he thought Aragorn should have a BIGGER role!? So PJ immediantly dumped him & called Viggo, giving him 24 hours to decide whether he wanted to spend at least 3 YEARS in New Zealand! Lucky for us his son made him go... . I wouldn't say Vin Diesel is the worst actor of all time. He's a good actor, but he would be the worst actor of all time for the part of Aragorn. Besides, it would just be wrong to see, The Lord of the Rings, starring Vin Diesel. <p>[ June 30, 2003: Message edited by: The Only Real Estel ]

[mollecon]

Iben Hjejle as Eowyn? Interesting... But maybe a little too old(!) for the part - Miranda Otto is doing a fine job I think.

[Silmiel of Imladris]

Stuart remindes me of Tom Cruise in Legend. Now that was scary!!

[Roccotari Eldandil]

*looks @ Stuart pic and shudders* ughhh. I'm glad they cast Viggo. That picture looks like a caveman with moss stuck on his face. By the way, Vin Diesel as Aragorn would have made me want to kill.<BR>Sean Connery would have made an okay Gandalf but Ian McKellen is much closer to my imagination.<BR>Did someone say they almost cast Justin Timberlake as Legolas?!?! I wretch at the thought. *runs out of the room screaming and faints in horror*<P>On a side note, I think the reason that Lord of the Rings did so well was that they used so many little- or un- known actors (yes there are fairly big ones like Hugo Weaving and Ian McKellen and Christopher Lee but there weren't any Mel Gibsons or Tom Cruises) so no one got typecast or viewed as one of their former roles (Elrond excepted).

[The Only Real Estel]

I've heard that Ray Park ( Darth Maul-Star Wars Episode 1 & Toad-X-Men to name a few ) wanted to play Gollum originally, but PJ went with the digital Gollum instead. That may be just a rumour, but if I was going to cast an actor for Gollum, it'd definatly be Ray Park.

[Everdawn]

She is not so much famous, but a theatre actress here in Australia by the name of Kate Daer would have made a devine elf...

[Kates Frodo Temp]

Yikes, you people have it in for Tom Cruise! I can't think of any appropriate LotR role for him, but personally, I don't understand how anyone who's seen Tom can go bonkers over Orlando. He's just too cool!<P>Connery could have made a great wizard! I'm glad McKellan got the part, though. He was outstanding!

[Everdawn]

Tom Cruise!!! screw your heads on everyone!...<P>Tom Cruise? In LOTR! no! ahhh!... well he could pass for a goblin...

[Roccotari Eldandil]

I couldn't see Tom Cruise anywhere either.<P>BTW, Stuart did a wonderful job in "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen". My acting doubts have ceased; however, I'm very glad they didn't keep him as Aragorn. He would have been far too young.

[Tar Palantir]

Daniel Day Lewis is probably the best young british actor. I believe he would have made a brilliant Aragorn. As good as Viggo mabye even better.

[Faramir Fan]

I heard about Ethan Hawke as Faramir...and no offence to David Wetham and his fans, but I think he would have done an awesome job...I loved him in Dead Poet's Society!!! <P>But with Uma as Eowyn...I think that might have been a little too over the top.<P>...also I guess it's easier for PJ to sign Faramir's death warrant when it is played by an unknown (at least in North America).

[Rumil]

<P>Johnny Vegas as Sam - completely inappropriate!! Fantastic.<BR> <P>(Although if they'd left a certain Fredregar Bolger in the film, hmmm....)

[Cinderella]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR> Connery could have made a great wizard! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>*dies...twice*<BR>With that ACCENT!!! sorry after watching endless episodes of Celebrity Jeopardy on SNL i can never take Sean Connery seriously, "Fly you foolsh!"<P>Btw, I second the nomination of Vin Diesel as the worst actor ever....I mean c'mon his name is VIN. DIESEL. honestly...<BR>PJ asked <I>me</I> to play Frodo but I had to turn him down because I reminded him that Frodo is, in fact, male

[samrohan]

Arnold the Governor Schwartsy wanted to be a balrog or Troll in the casting.<P>PJ only offered him the Olifant role, so Arnie turned him down.<P>

[Eurytus]

I think that Daniel Day Lewis would have been superb as Aragorn. Not that Viggo is bad but Day-Lewis has been superb in everything he has been in and one look at The Last of the Mohicans shows that he could do the whole action thing.<P>And that picture of Stuart Townsend?? What were they thinking of?

[ArathorofBarahir]

I am so glad that Viggo was asked to play Aragorn. He plays Aragorn so well that it is scary.

[Lord of Angmar]

I doubt Daniel Day Lewis would have wanted to have anything to do with the Lord of the Rings. The fact that he simply does not enjoy acting would not bode well for his chances of playing a part which would require him to do two straight non-stop years of it!<P>I heard a rumor recently which I had not heard before that Donald Sutherland was considered for the part of Denethor Steward of Gondor. Did anyone else hear about this?

[ArathorofBarahir]

Yes I did hear the rumor of Donald Sutherland playing Denethor. And I totally agree with you LordofAngmar. Daniel Day Lewis enjoys acting very little, it would be highly unlikely that he would be in LOTR, I mean two years of shooting, that is next to impossible for him.

[HCIsland]

I was thinking Arnold Schwarzenegger would have been pretty interesting as the voice of Treebeard.<P>"Lee-tol orcs, Boo-RA-oommm!"<P>I guess it's just me. <P>H.C.

[Slayer]

Whatever elven Maiden david bowie would have rocked as elrond. David Bowie rocks as anything

[Finwe]

Stuart Townsend would have made a much better Denethor (he'd have to be aged a LOT) or an Annatar, because he's got that slightly creepy/seductive look about him (for those who've seen League of Extraordinary Gentlemen). <P>I think that the cast are absolutely perfect in their roles, and any other actor/actress would have changed the Frodo, Eowyn, Arwen, etc. that we know and love. One of the reasons those specific actors/actresses were picked was for their personality and their humility. They recognized that it was an honor to be in such an epic venture, and accepted the role that they were given. If it had been a more high-profile actor/actress, used to getting his/her way on set, then the characters would have been irreparably changed (unless PJ fired them all and hired a new cast, which would be a waste of time and money).

[Essex]

Sylvester McCoy (Doctor Who) was just beating to Bilbo by Ian Holm.<P>thinking of the doctors, I always thought Tom Baker would have made an excellent Gandalf.

[Meela]

Donald Sutherland (just checked him out):<P>- good for the role, probably, but I *much* prefer John.<P>Stuart Townsend... now I wouldn't complain if he wanted the role

[Faramir Fan]

heh heh...if we had Donald Sutherland for Denethor, we could have had Kiefer for Faramir *swoon*. Only Sean Bean could play Boromir!!!<P>

[Maéglin]

Stuart Townsend would have been great for Annatar! (Sauron's alter ego). I agree he's got a very strange look about him. He looks awesome but also something terribly wrong with him (in the League of Extraodinary Gentlemen).

[Finwe]

But then again, playing a character like Dorian Grey would make an actor appear quite "strange."