Russell Crowe, who is known for taking on challenging roles, was on the brink of assuming the role of Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but a single phone conversation with director Peter Jackson left him reluctant to pursue the part.
During a recent conversation with Howard Stern aimed at promoting his Showtime miniseries “The Loudest Voice” about Roger Ailes (which received less than stellar viewership for its premiere on Sunday), the Academy Award-winning actor candidly elaborated on his decision to decline a role in the blockbuster franchise. Despite the potentially significant financial gain, he ultimately turned down the opportunity.
Russell Crowe Almost Replaced Viggo Mortensen
Stern broached the subject by inquiring if it held any truth that Russell Crowe had been offered the pivotal lead role of Aragorn (brought to life by Viggo Mortensen in the trilogy) and whether the rumored offer of a 10 percent cut from the backend grosses was accurate. The host then calculated this percentage to be approximately $100 million, revealing the staggering potential earnings. Crowe confirmed the accuracy of all those details before proceeding to provide an explanation.
“I didn’t think Peter Jackson wanted me on that film,” Crowe said. “Because he was forced into talking to me, because there was a moment in time when everyone wanted me in everything.”
As a fellow New Zealander, Crowe shared with Stern that he could discern specific inflections in Jackson’s voice during their conversation, which subtly revealed the director’s genuine emotions.
“I am talking to him on the phone, it is like, I don’t think he even knows what I have done,” Crowe said. “I just knew that my instinct was that he had somebody else in mind, which turned out to be Viggo, and he should be allowed to hire the actor who he wants.”
Stern double-checked his comprehension, inquiring if Crowe meant that the studio, Warner Bros., was compelling Jackson to extend the role to him. The actor affirmed this, confirming that Stern had indeed understood correctly.
Russell Crowe Faced A Near Career-ending Injury
Crowe displayed an unwavering commitment to his portrayal of James Braddock in Cinderella Man. Immerse himself fully in the role of a professional boxer, he meticulously followed the same training regimen. He acquired his training approach from the same coaches who had honed the skills of legends like Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Leonard, aiming to grasp the authentic mindset of a genuine boxer.
“He built in me the ability to keep going, to keep my head clear no matter how much punishment I was taking, and, you know, no matter how deep you’re dragging for a breath. And that’s the whole key to it. If you can keep your head clear, you can keep going forward,” Crowe told NBC.
However, the intensive training regimen exacted a toll on the actor, leading to a dislocated shoulder during a sparring session. This significant injury occurred just before the commencement of filming for Cinderella Man.
Source: YouTube
