The Surprising ‘Lord of the Rings’ Role Nicolas Cage Said No To
Nicolas Cage once opened up about a role he almost played in one of Hollywood’s biggest franchises. Speaking to Newsweek, Cage revealed that he was originally in talks to play Aragorn in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films before Viggo Mortensen ultimately took the part.
Cage explained that timing was the main reason he didn’t take the role. “There were different things going on in my life at the time that precluded me from being able to travel and be away from home for three years. And I do mean it. I get to enjoy the movies as an audience member, because I don’t watch my own movies,” he said.
Even though he missed out on one of the most successful film franchises ever, Cage has no regrets. “The thing is about those movies, I can watch them. I can enjoy them as an audience member. I don’t really watch my own movies. And so I genuinely do have the joy of watching these—especially with Lord of the Rings,” he added.
Mortensen, who eventually played Aragorn, faced many physical challenges during filming, including deflecting a real blade thrown by an acting Orc and breaking his toe during an intense scene. Cage acknowledged that the films would have looked very different with him in the role but is happy with how things turned out.
Cage later worked with several Lord of the Rings actors in other projects. He starred with Sean Bean in National Treasure and worked with Elijah Wood in The Trust.
Wood spoke highly of Cage’s work, telling Hot Ones, “I remember being in scenes, conversing with him and he would say something to me and I would think as I’m opposite him ‘Oh my god, that’s Nicolas Cage. The way he said it was so like Nic Cage.’ He was a delight and to see his creative process was a joy.”
Cage’s story shows that even major roles sometimes aren’t the right fit at the right time. He seems happy to enjoy the films as a fan while continuing to deliver memorable performances in his own career.
Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!
