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BTW, Mortensen was seventh choice.

Darkstone
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Sep 10 2013, 9:14pm


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BTW, Mortensen was seventh choice. [In reply to] Can't Post

The role was originally offered to Daniel Day Lewis, who declined. Then they offered it to Nicolas Cage, but he refused. They auditioned Vin Diesel, but after they saw the tape they didn’t think he’d work. So they offered it to Daniel Day Lewis again, but he refused again. So they got Stuart Townsend, but after a month of rehearsals they fired him and offered it to Daniel Day Lewis yet again, but he refused it yet again. So Mark Ordesky’s wife reminded him of this actor named Viggo Mortensen they met at a party a year or two before. Ordesky put together a quick demo tape of Mortensen’s roles in “Psycho”, The Prophecy”, and “Texas Chainsaw Massacre III”. (?!?!) He showed the tape to Peter Jackson who, for some reason, felt Mortensen would be perfect for Aragorn. (One wonders exactly what Jackson saw in Mortensen's roles as a villain in these three horror films that made him think that.) Mortensen almost said no, but his son convinced him to take the role. Philippa Boyens said she knew they’d made the right choice when Mortensen’s very first question wasn’t “How much is my salary?” or “How big is my trailer?” but rather “How long did Aragorn live with the Elves?”

If Mortensen had turned down the role New Line was going to take over casting from Jackson. Their first choices were Russell Crowe or Jason Patric.

BTW, Keanu Reeves really wanted the role and apparently his agent floated a few rumors that the casting was a done deal. Needless to say, the resultant storm of protest on TORn was deafening.

******************************************
“That hobbit has a pleasant face,
His private life is a disgrace.
I really could not tell to you,
The awful things that hobbits do.”

Subject User Time
Other actors who could have played Aragorn Eruonen Send a private message to Eruonen Sep 10 2013, 6:42pm
    I always wanted Eastwood for Gandalf. Darkstone Send a private message to Darkstone Sep 10 2013, 7:20pm
        Clintagorn vs Ruffians in San Bree Eruonen Send a private message to Eruonen Sep 10 2013, 8:27pm
            BTW, Mortensen was seventh choice. Darkstone Send a private message to Darkstone Sep 10 2013, 9:14pm
                Talk about the minefield averted! Other than Daniel Day Lewis, Eruonen Send a private message to Eruonen Sep 10 2013, 10:39pm
                    Agreed Ziggy Stardust Send a private message to Ziggy Stardust Sep 11 2013, 1:00am
                    Indeed, although... Patty Send a private message to Patty Sep 11 2013, 11:56am
                    Vin Diesel with or without the see-in-the-dark eyes? CuriousG Send a private message to CuriousG Sep 11 2013, 6:11pm
                Why did DDL say no? Meneldor Send a private message to Meneldor Sep 11 2013, 1:07am
                    Well, as I recall... Darkstone Send a private message to Darkstone Sep 11 2013, 1:41am
                        Knowing DDL's working style... cats16 Send a private message to cats16 Sep 11 2013, 2:03am
                Kenau would be perfect for...Figwit! Lala Send a private message to Lala Sep 11 2013, 12:54pm
                I could see Russell Crowe as Aragorn. // CuriousG Send a private message to CuriousG Sep 11 2013, 6:13pm
                    I agree, I think Russell Crowe could have, but he was just Eruonen Send a private message to Eruonen Sep 11 2013, 6:36pm
    That first image of Eastwood isn't bad Ziggy Stardust Send a private message to Ziggy Stardust Sep 11 2013, 1:01am
        Fantasy rendering of Sir Clintagorn Eruonen Send a private message to Eruonen Sep 11 2013, 6:45pm
        Seeing this article brings to mind why I thought Eastwood was a Eruonen Send a private message to Eruonen Sep 17 2013, 5:12am
    Daniel Day Lewis ElendilTheShort Send a private message to ElendilTheShort Sep 12 2013, 9:37am
    So, what if you had to cast Aragorn young? Otaku-sempai Send a private message to Otaku-sempai Sep 12 2013, 12:45pm
        Difficult as there are a lot of unknown actors who could Eruonen Send a private message to Eruonen Sep 12 2013, 2:50pm
            Ironically... Otaku-sempai Send a private message to Otaku-sempai Sep 12 2013, 2:54pm
                I never thought he had the right look. His face is too sinister in so Eruonen Send a private message to Eruonen Sep 12 2013, 3:14pm
                    Quite possibly true. However... Otaku-sempai Send a private message to Otaku-sempai Sep 12 2013, 3:16pm
                        Townsend as Aragorn. Eruonen Send a private message to Eruonen Sep 12 2013, 3:23pm
                            So why shadowdog Send a private message to shadowdog Sep 12 2013, 4:15pm
                                Well, when they say "it just was not working" either he was not Eruonen Send a private message to Eruonen Sep 12 2013, 4:27pm
                                    Bizarre Na Vedui Send a private message to Na Vedui Sep 12 2013, 10:51pm
                                        Oops! Na Vedui Send a private message to Na Vedui Sep 13 2013, 12:33am
                                        I will try and be tactful glor Send a private message to glor Sep 18 2013, 12:22pm
                                            Being difficult is no reason to cheat him of his wages. RosieLass Send a private message to RosieLass Sep 25 2013, 11:35pm
                                    Sean Astin's book "There and Back Again: An Actor's Tale" had some insights into the situation. RosieLass Send a private message to RosieLass Sep 25 2013, 11:34pm
                                        Right, I recall that section.... Eruonen Send a private message to Eruonen Sep 25 2013, 11:59pm
                                            Astin made so many gaffes before the book Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 26 2013, 1:18pm
                            That photo is often used to show Townsend in makeup as Aragorn Magpie Send a private message to Magpie Sep 18 2013, 12:41pm
                                Good to know. I think the photo, whatever its origin, at least Eruonen Send a private message to Eruonen Sep 18 2013, 4:26pm
            Chris Helmsworth Patty Send a private message to Patty Sep 14 2013, 1:03am
                he's a major charisma Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 14 2013, 10:31am
    Sean Bean would've rocked it too Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 13 2013, 10:42pm
        That is my only disappointment with Viggo's ability Eruonen Send a private message to Eruonen Sep 13 2013, 11:03pm
            Reluctant king ElendilTheShort Send a private message to ElendilTheShort Sep 14 2013, 4:46am
                Scribes aren't the only one to blame Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 14 2013, 10:42am
        Except for... Misto Send a private message to Misto Sep 14 2013, 9:11am
    I'm not saying others wouldn't have worked RangerLady23 Send a private message to RangerLady23 Sep 14 2013, 4:50pm
        I agree, my post was not meant to show any displeasure Eruonen Send a private message to Eruonen Sep 14 2013, 5:03pm
        I always thought that Aragorn was a role for someone who'd break out Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 14 2013, 5:08pm
            breakouts Maciliel Send a private message to Maciliel Sep 14 2013, 5:23pm
                IMO,only real breakout star of LOTR is Peter Jackson Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 14 2013, 5:43pm
                    while i Maciliel Send a private message to Maciliel Sep 14 2013, 5:47pm
                    Here, here! Rembrethil Send a private message to Rembrethil Sep 15 2013, 3:15am
                Of course, I have to agree with you Kim Send a private message to Kim Sep 14 2013, 6:49pm
                    I want him to be Roland Deschain the Gunslinger Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 14 2013, 11:19pm
                Thinking about it...... elaen32 Send a private message to elaen32 Sep 15 2013, 9:49pm
                    Couldn't agree more to be honest. ElendilTheShort Send a private message to ElendilTheShort Sep 16 2013, 12:02am
            Well... Arannir Send a private message to Arannir Sep 15 2013, 3:11pm
                ROTK won SAG for Ensemble Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 15 2013, 5:41pm
                    Never recovered? How do we know what kind of plans, offers etc. he had/has? Arannir Send a private message to Arannir Sep 15 2013, 7:47pm
                        he hasn't been in anything relevant since LOTR Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 15 2013, 11:06pm
                            I would still say... Arannir Send a private message to Arannir Sep 15 2013, 11:49pm
                                Oh I agree that those movies are not star vehicles for actors Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 16 2013, 12:05am
                                    charisma Maciliel Send a private message to Maciliel Sep 16 2013, 12:45am
                                        Some actors have great charisma off screen in interviews but not on it Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 16 2013, 12:56am
                                            I beg to differ Starling Send a private message to Starling Sep 16 2013, 1:14am
                                                True, my definition is boxoffice power Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 16 2013, 10:41am
                                            charisma Maciliel Send a private message to Maciliel Sep 16 2013, 1:15am
                                                Charisma and drawing power are not limited to predictability Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 16 2013, 10:39am
                                                    not limited Maciliel Send a private message to Maciliel Sep 16 2013, 7:13pm
                                                        Agreed about Mckellen Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 16 2013, 7:41pm
                                            Not true simplyaven Send a private message to simplyaven Dec 28 2013, 2:00am
                                        I for one simplyaven Send a private message to simplyaven Dec 28 2013, 1:58am
                                    Mortensen has plenty of charisma walkman87 Send a private message to walkman87 Sep 19 2013, 6:36pm
                                        I respect your opinion Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 19 2013, 8:05pm
                                            I have to disagree walkman87 Send a private message to walkman87 Sep 20 2013, 9:18am
                                                team player... Magpie Send a private message to Magpie Sep 20 2013, 2:37pm
                                                    Nicely Said walkman87 Send a private message to walkman87 Sep 20 2013, 3:03pm
                                                    Saying that ROTK sacrificed character for ramping up acton Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 20 2013, 4:35pm
                                                        can you point me to a source/citation on that comment? Magpie Send a private message to Magpie Sep 20 2013, 4:50pm
                                                            it was from an interview where he also said that Seabiscuit Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 20 2013, 6:41pm
                                                                I've done some digging and I can't find it Magpie Send a private message to Magpie Sep 20 2013, 10:20pm
                                                                    It was a Canadian interview, I think Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 21 2013, 2:37am
                                                                        For all my criticism of movie Aragorn ElendilTheShort Send a private message to ElendilTheShort Sep 21 2013, 8:55pm
                                                                            One thing I loved about Viggo's Aragorn Na Vedui Send a private message to Na Vedui Sep 22 2013, 4:48pm
                                                                                Except that his face didn't look like he thought he earned it Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 22 2013, 5:01pm
                                                                                    I connected that with Arwen's absence Na Vedui Send a private message to Na Vedui Sep 22 2013, 5:21pm
                                                                                        Great point Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 22 2013, 8:19pm
                                                                                            I.. Faleel Send a private message to Faleel Sep 22 2013, 8:27pm
                                                                    I can't find it either, but I do remember it Voronwë_the_Faithful Send a private message to Voronwë_the_Faithful Sep 22 2013, 5:22pm
                                                                        thanks for sharing your recollection. Magpie Send a private message to Magpie Sep 22 2013, 7:00pm
                                                                            I don't know him and cannot say what he was thinking Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 22 2013, 8:33pm
                                                                                I'll call your remembered, unfindable quote with my can-find quotes. Magpie Send a private message to Magpie Sep 24 2013, 12:17am
                                                                            I certainly understand where you are coming from Voronwë_the_Faithful Send a private message to Voronwë_the_Faithful Sep 22 2013, 9:34pm
                                                                            "Quod non est in actis, non est in mundo." Darkstone Send a private message to Darkstone Sep 23 2013, 5:23pm
                                                                                Same here simplyaven Send a private message to simplyaven Dec 28 2013, 2:30am
                                                                        Thank you! Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 22 2013, 8:12pm
                                                        The whole film trilogy sacrificed character for ramped up action. RosieLass Send a private message to RosieLass Sep 25 2013, 11:31pm
                                            Sorry, have to add some specific examples... walkman87 Send a private message to walkman87 Sep 20 2013, 12:18pm
                                                well said. Magpie Send a private message to Magpie Sep 20 2013, 2:39pm
                                                    Thanks, Magpie!!!!!!!!!! walkman87 Send a private message to walkman87 Sep 20 2013, 3:15pm
                                        Hidalgo is the reason Viggo left blockbusters sycorax82 Send a private message to sycorax82 Sep 19 2013, 11:47pm
                                            Hidalgo boxoffice facts Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 20 2013, 4:17pm
                                                Boxoffice does not tell the whole story Otaku-sempai Send a private message to Otaku-sempai Sep 20 2013, 4:53pm
                                                    That's true but if you want a big opening for a big movie Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 20 2013, 6:36pm
                                        Absolutely simplyaven Send a private message to simplyaven Dec 28 2013, 2:11am
                                    Viggo simplyaven Send a private message to simplyaven Dec 28 2013, 1:55am
            Christopher Ecclestone glor Send a private message to glor Sep 18 2013, 12:50pm
                I am not really familiar with Eccleston, but Eruonen Send a private message to Eruonen Sep 18 2013, 4:25pm
                    prominent nose is one of reasons why Cate doesn't work as Galadriel for me Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 18 2013, 4:56pm
                        Very few humans have a "perfect nose" but I do see your Eruonen Send a private message to Eruonen Sep 18 2013, 5:29pm
                            he didn't describe ears either Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 18 2013, 5:35pm
                                Well, maybe he did suggest elven ears Eruonen Send a private message to Eruonen Sep 18 2013, 6:05pm
                            Elves got Roman noses. Darkstone Send a private message to Darkstone Sep 25 2013, 5:47pm
                        i have no idea Maciliel Send a private message to Maciliel Sep 18 2013, 6:16pm
                            Agreed Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Sep 18 2013, 6:35pm
                            I think the Golden Ratio and Pi are being used for proportions Eruonen Send a private message to Eruonen Sep 18 2013, 6:45pm
                                golden spiral Maciliel Send a private message to Maciliel Sep 18 2013, 6:54pm
                                    Indeed! Nautilus nose. Eruonen Send a private message to Eruonen Sep 18 2013, 6:57pm
                Viggo is majestic walkman87 Send a private message to walkman87 Sep 19 2013, 6:41pm
                    I agree here Walkman - and Welcome! // Brethil Send a private message to Brethil Sep 19 2013, 7:16pm
                        Thanks, Brethil!!!! walkman87 Send a private message to walkman87 Sep 19 2013, 7:37pm
                    I second that! simplyaven Send a private message to simplyaven Dec 28 2013, 2:12am
    Thoughts: malickfan Send a private message to malickfan Sep 14 2013, 5:08pm
        They did have the right idea when they pondered Daniel Day Lewis Semper Fi Send a private message to Semper Fi Sep 14 2013, 5:21pm
    My choices for Aragorn frodolives Send a private message to frodolives Sep 18 2013, 6:27pm
        Hmmm, Abelforth Dumbledore Eruonen Send a private message to Eruonen Sep 18 2013, 6:32pm
            He wasn't much older than Viggo frodolives Send a private message to frodolives Sep 18 2013, 6:42pm
    The Treasure we did get walkman87 Send a private message to walkman87 Sep 19 2013, 6:43pm
    James Purefoy Otaku-sempai Send a private message to Otaku-sempai Sep 22 2013, 12:12pm
    None simplyaven Send a private message to simplyaven Dec 28 2013, 1:41am

 
 
 

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