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Poll: Actors Who Could Have Been in 'The Lord of the Rings'

A poll by Paok-Kilkis.
Which of these actors who were almost cast in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings would have been the most interesting to see?

Discuss the list here!

See results without voting »

Make Your Choice

  1. Vote!

    Ian McKellen in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

    Sean Connery was the studio's first option for the role of Gandalf the Grey. He (Connery) declined because he had never read J.R.R. Tolkien's novel and just "didn’t understand the script." If Connery had taken the part he would've earned around $400 million, which is more than any other actor has ever been paid for a single role ever!
  2. Vote!

    Ian McKellen in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

    Christopher Lee also wanted to play Gandalf but Peter Jackson wanted Lee to play Saruman the White from the start, despite hearing that the actor wasn’t interested in any more villain roles.
  3. Vote!

    Viggo Mortensen in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

    Daniel Day-Lewis was Jackson's first option for the role of Aragorn and tried to open negotiations with him multiple times, only to be shot down on each occasion.
  4. Vote!

    Viggo Mortensen in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

    The studio wanted Russell Crowe for the role of Aragorn, but Russell passed on the role. Years later during a speech of his in a university Crowe was asked how he felt about losing out on $56 million, and he simply replied "If I had taken that film, I wouldn’t be here."
  5. Vote!

    Viggo Mortensen in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

    New Line and Jackson came to an agreement on their Aragorn, and offered the role to Nicolas Cage. Cage turned it down.
  6. Vote!

    Viggo Mortensen in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

    Vin Diesel auditioned for the role of Aragorn, though he was never offered the part.
  7. Vote!

    Viggo Mortensen in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

    Stuart Townsend was cast as Aragorn, but he was replaced by Viggo Mortensen four days in to the shoot. Jackson later stated it was because he realised that an older actor would work better.
  8. Vote!

    Elijah Wood in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

    Jake Gyllenhaal auditioned for the role of Frodo Baggins. It would've meant no Donnie Darko (2001) for him if he had won the part of Frodo in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, but fortunately for Elijah Wood, Gyllenhaal bombed his audition.
  9. Vote!

    John Rhys-Davies in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

    Warwick Davis had an audition for the role of Gimli, but he was cut by Peter Jackson.
  10. Vote!

    John Rhys-Davies in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

    Timothy Spall had been cast as Gimli, although he was eventually replaced when John Rhys-Davies was officially announced to be playing the character.
  11. Vote!

    Sean Bean

    Liam Neeson was Peter Jackson's first choice for the role of Boromir. After reading the script Neeson decided to pass on the project.
  12. Vote!

    Liv Tyler in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

    Uma Thurman's name was heavily linked with both Arwen and Eowyn, the trilogy's two most prominent female roles. Peter Jackson initially wanted Thurman to join the cast as Arwen, but when the actress fell pregnant she was forced to drop out, with Liv Tyler drafted in as her replacement.
  13. Vote!

    Cate Blanchett in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

    Peter Jackson wanted Lucy Lawless for the role of Galadriel, and asked her to audition for the part. Unfortunately, the actress was forced to decline the offer after falling pregnant, making her unable to commit to such a lengthy production while also trying to balance her television commitments.
  14. Vote!

    Ian Holm in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

    Sylvester McCoy came so close to playing Bilbo Baggins, narrowly beaten to the role by Ian Holm. As a huge Doctor Who (2005) fan Peter Jackson admitted it was a tough choice to make, and McCoy was a very close second, so when it came to casting The Hobbit movies he was one of the first people the director called.
  15. Vote!

    Hugo Weaving in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)

    David Bowie auditioned for Lord of the Rings. After hearing the movies were in production, the White Duke reached out to Peter Jackson, offering his experience of playing the half-elven lord of Rivendell, Elrond. Jackson turned down the offer because the singer’s fame would overshadow the part.
  16. Vote!

    Miranda Otto in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

    Peter Jackson wanted Kate Winslet for the role of Eowyn. While she was originally interested she had declined the role due to the lengthy commitment required for such a production.
  17. Vote!

    Miranda Otto in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)

    Alison Doody had an offer to play in LOTR when Peter Jackson offered her the role of Eowyn. The actress declined due to being pregnant, and couldn't commit to spending 18 months on location in New Zealand with a newborn baby and a family based in Ireland.
  18. Vote!

    David Wenham in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)

    Ethan Hawke was rumoured to be Peter Jackson's top choice to play the role of Faramir in The Lord of the Rings, and became attached to the project when it was still in pre-production. However Hawke soon pulled out of the role completely to the disappointment of many fans, and subequently David Wenham slipped unnoticed into the role.

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