Runk Snusgrop
Rivendell
You think it was awkward at the Oscars in 2004 when Townsend sat (with Charlize Theron) right in the front row?
Is Stuart Townsend on good terms with the LOTR folk?
- Thread starter Runk Snusgrop
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Patty
Immortal
watching the movie he was supposed to star in take all the oscars home in a truck
]
But he was there for his girlfriend, and I thought a lot of him for that.
I suspect his history with the LotR folks happens, to some degree, pretty often in the film world, and if one held grudges, one probably wouldn't work as much. At least, I hope he doesn't still hold a grudge.
]But he was there for his girlfriend, and I thought a lot of him for that.
I suspect his history with the LotR folks happens, to some degree, pretty often in the film world, and if one held grudges, one probably wouldn't work as much. At least, I hope he doesn't still hold a grudge.
Kyriel
Grey Havens
As we saw in the DVD commentaries and featurettes, the cast spent several months together before filming ever started: training in sword fighting, learning to canoe, building camaraderie, etc. Stuart Townsend was there that whole time. He got to know everyone, they got to know him, filming started, and boom! He was out the door in a week. Then Viggo got pulled in out of nowhere and seems to have become instant buds with everyone.
You look at the interviews on the DVD's now, and everyone's raving about what a cool guy Viggo was, while Stuart is barely mentioned - and never by name. I can understand why the interviewees would avoid talking about him (and why any errant mentions of him would be edited out). But I still wonder what everyone kept to themselves. Was he a fun guy? Was he a jerk? Could they tell early on that he wasn't going to work out? Did they miss him when he was let go? I'd love to here more about this, but I guess I never will.
Oh, and just BTW, I read something recently that indicated Stuart and Charlize have broken up.
You look at the interviews on the DVD's now, and everyone's raving about what a cool guy Viggo was, while Stuart is barely mentioned - and never by name. I can understand why the interviewees would avoid talking about him (and why any errant mentions of him would be edited out). But I still wonder what everyone kept to themselves. Was he a fun guy? Was he a jerk? Could they tell early on that he wasn't going to work out? Did they miss him when he was let go? I'd love to here more about this, but I guess I never will.
Oh, and just BTW, I read something recently that indicated Stuart and Charlize have broken up.
FarFromHome
Valinor
I don't have it with me here in Singapore, but as I recall, everyone got on well with him. Sean particularly liked the fact that Stuart would take time to interact with Sean's little daughter, more so than the other younger guys. I can't remember much more, but there's a page or so - maybe someone else who has the book could look it up. I do recall that the break was sudden and shocking for everyone, and that Sean sent Stuart a message of commiseration but never heard back.
I don't think he mentions anything about Stuart Townsend being at the Oscar ceremony where RotK won all its awards, although the book describes that day. At least Charlize Theron won an Oscar herself that day, so I suppose Stuart had something to celebrate anyway.
I read an article few years ago about Stuart Townsend in a local Dublin newspaper (he's from the Dublin area) and although I can't remember much detail, I came away with the impression that what happened with LotR still rankled.
I don't think he mentions anything about Stuart Townsend being at the Oscar ceremony where RotK won all its awards, although the book describes that day. At least Charlize Theron won an Oscar herself that day, so I suppose Stuart had something to celebrate anyway.
I read an article few years ago about Stuart Townsend in a local Dublin newspaper (he's from the Dublin area) and although I can't remember much detail, I came away with the impression that what happened with LotR still rankled.
Runk Snusgrop
Rivendell
I'm sorry to hear about him and Theron, they were a cute couple.
Last I heard Townsend was fired from the Thor film for being "difficult". I always had the feeling that him being replaced for Aragorn wasn't only about him being too young-looking (which, to be honest, he was), the "creative differences" rumours were all over his being fired from LOTR.
Perhaps he is a very demanding actor to work with? Perhaps he had ideas for Aragorn that didn't quite gel with Jackson and the writing team?
Whatever really happened, I'm 100% sure there's more to the story. I guess we'll have to wait for Townsend's autobiography or something.
Last I heard Townsend was fired from the Thor film for being "difficult". I always had the feeling that him being replaced for Aragorn wasn't only about him being too young-looking (which, to be honest, he was), the "creative differences" rumours were all over his being fired from LOTR.
Perhaps he is a very demanding actor to work with? Perhaps he had ideas for Aragorn that didn't quite gel with Jackson and the writing team?
Whatever really happened, I'm 100% sure there's more to the story. I guess we'll have to wait for Townsend's autobiography or something.
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FarFromHome
Valinor
PJ maybe was able to make the parting reasonably friendly at the time. Even so, Townsend seems to have left the project without a word to his co-stars. We don't know that for sure, I guess - the actors only tell us what they want us to know, and rightly so. But Sean Astin at least mentions the suddenness of the departure, and the lack of any word from him afterwards. No matter what, it must have been a blow and a terrible disappointment - I don't see how PJ could avoid that.
When I was trying to find the Irish Times article I'd read, I came across an even older one mentioned on the front page of TORn back in 2001. This is from January 2001, almost a year before the first movie was released, and already Townsend is pretty upset:
"It was a ‘horrible’ experience, he says, and not one he’s keen to dwell upon to any extent, although he is becoming more philosophical about it. ‘Now I am glad that I’m off it. I really am. It was a very interesting experience, but I’m glad because it left me free to do another big studio movie, Queen of the Damned, which was wonderful to do..."
It must have seemed much worse once the movies came out and did so well, while his other projects never amounted to very much. Even if he wasn't upset at first, you'd think he soon would be once the reality sank in. It's too bad about the rumours, but since the filmmakers provided only the vaguest of diplomatic reasons for dropping him, I suppose rumours were inevitable.
When I was trying to find the Irish Times article I'd read, I came across an even older one mentioned on the front page of TORn back in 2001. This is from January 2001, almost a year before the first movie was released, and already Townsend is pretty upset:
"It was a ‘horrible’ experience, he says, and not one he’s keen to dwell upon to any extent, although he is becoming more philosophical about it. ‘Now I am glad that I’m off it. I really am. It was a very interesting experience, but I’m glad because it left me free to do another big studio movie, Queen of the Damned, which was wonderful to do..."
It must have seemed much worse once the movies came out and did so well, while his other projects never amounted to very much. Even if he wasn't upset at first, you'd think he soon would be once the reality sank in. It's too bad about the rumours, but since the filmmakers provided only the vaguest of diplomatic reasons for dropping him, I suppose rumours were inevitable.
moreorless
Gondor
Not really any evidense to back it up but I always had the feeling that Stuart Townsend being cast might have been driven by a bit of studio pressure. He does afterall fit the action/romanic hero image much better than Viggo which theres a noteble lack of elsewhere in the films.
You look at just how perfect almost all of the casting was and I find it hard to believe that they'd get things so wrong for Aragorn unless something else was a factor, I spose rewrittes of the script could have been an issue aswell.
You look at just how perfect almost all of the casting was and I find it hard to believe that they'd get things so wrong for Aragorn unless something else was a factor, I spose rewrittes of the script could have been an issue aswell.
Nerwen
Bree
... I'm reading Brian Sibley's "Peter Jackson: A Film-maker's journey" and it actually has Peter saying
There's a few pages about the situation, but it seems that no clear "reason" is given - I haven't read through it all yet, though. The book also quotes Fran talking about how devastated some of the actors were - for a time they feared that any one of them could be fired the next day.
I might post a few more quotes later when I've read it all.
There's a few pages about the situation, but it seems that no clear "reason" is given - I haven't read through it all yet, though. The book also quotes Fran talking about how devastated some of the actors were - for a time they feared that any one of them could be fired the next day.
I might post a few more quotes later when I've read it all.