Jordan Karlesson
As one of the marquee names in the movies over the past few decades, New Zealand native Russell Crowe would jump at the chance to be in one of the biggest film productions shot in his homeland. Or so one would think. But surprisingly, Crowe actually turned down the opportunity to be a part of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Videos by Rare
Russell Crowe could have taken the role of hero Aragorn — especially given the sword-wielding skills he presumably developed for Gladiator. But instead, the role actually went instead to an American actor, Viggo Mortensen.
Why Did Russell Crowe Turn Down Lord of the Rings?
In an interview on The Howard Stern Show posted on its YouTube channel in June 2019, Russell Crowe confirmed to Stern that he turned down an opportunity to be part of LOTR. Similarly, Crowe confirmed that he also declined the chance to collect 10 percent of the financially lucrative trilogy’s gross earnings.
“I didn’t think [director] Peter Jackson actually wanted me on the film,” Russell Crowe admitted. “I think he was forced into talking to me because there was a moment in time when everybody wanted me in everything.
“He’s a fellow New Zealander,” Crowe added. “So I can hear his voice. And I’m talking to him on the phone, and it’s like, ‘I don’t think he even knows what I’ve done. … My instinct was that he had somebody else in mind, which turned out to be Viggo, and he should be able to have the actor he wants.”
Howard Stern noted that Russell Crowe would have made $100 million had the deal worked out. Crowe, who has developed a reputation as a fun guy after his early years as a “bad boy,” laughed and played off the hypothetical scenario as just that.
Crowe added that he also turned down the chance to play Wolverine for the same reason. He said Hugh Jackman carried the character with “grace” that Russell Crowe said he wouldn’t have managed to muster.
