Russell Crowe could have played Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings
By Ariba Bhuvad
The Lord of the Rings could have played out very differently if it wasn’t for Russell Crowe’s decision to turn down the role of Aragorn (eventually played by Viggo Mortenson). Yes, apparently Crowe was once poised to play this iconic role, but ended up not taking it after he realized one minor detail: Director Peter Jackson wasn’t too excited about him.
In an interview with Howard Stern, Crowe spoke about this well-kept secret and how he ultimately came to his decision to not be in one of the most beloved film trilogies of all time. Before the 2001 blockbuster went on to take over the world forever, Crowe was offered about 10% of the film’s profits. Not that he could have known back then just how popular the Lord of the Rings movies would be, but in his own estimation, that decision cost him $100 million. You goofed sir, you royally goofed.
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Crowe’s decision, as mentioned, came after he realized Peter Jackson didn’t really seem as enthusiastic about him joining as everyone else did.
"I didn’t think (director) Peter Jackson actually wanted me on the film. I think he was forced into talking to me (by the studio) because there was a moment in time where everybody wanted me in every (movie). […] My instinct was that he had somebody else in mind, which turned out to be Viggo (Mortensen). He should be allowed to hire the actor that he wants."
Well, that was awfully nice of Crowe to step out of the Lord of the Rings films for Jackson’s sake. He also turned down the Wolverine role in the X-men movies, a role that Hugh Jackman made iconic in his own right. Wow, just think about how differently both franchises might have been had Russell Crowe only said yes. Okay, nevermind, let’s not do that.
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