Viggo Mortensen Reveals the Quentin Tarantino Role He Wishes He’d Taken
Viggo Mortensen once revealed one Quentin Tarantino role he regrets not taking. Speaking to Grantland in 2015, Mortensen addressed rumors that he was in line to appear in The Hateful Eight alongside stars like Samuel L. Jackson and Jennifer Jason Leigh.
“Yeah, we did meet. And that was an example of what I was talking about with small movies. All of last fall, I travelled nonstop. I was on a plane every two days to promote Jauja and Far From Men. I knew as a producer and an actor that I needed to do that for those movies to have a chance to be seen,” Mortensen explained.
His busy schedule made it impossible to commit to Tarantino’s film, even though he clearly wanted to.
He continued: “[Tarantino] wanted to start shooting at the end of the year and do rehearsals before that, and I just couldn’t do that schedule-wise. That’s the only reason [I passed]. It would have been really, really fun to work with him. I think he’s really smart and funny. I’d never sat down and talked to him that much, although I did audition for Reservoir Dogs, which he remembered.”
Mortensen couldn’t remember exactly which part he read for in Reservoir Dogs, but he recalled reading lines with Harvey Keitel and experimenting with the character, even doing one take where he made the character Hispanic.
“I wish [The Hateful Eight] would have worked out, but that’s what I’m talking about: You either see these films through to the end, or you don’t,” he said.
Although Mortensen missed the chance to work on Tarantino’s Western, his other projects were well-received. Jauja and Far From Men showcased his range as an actor and earned critical praise. Jauja, directed by Lisandro Alonso, was celebrated for its striking visuals and Mortensen’s quietly powerful performance, earning a standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival. Far From Men also earned praise for its tense storytelling and nuanced exploration of human morality.
The Hateful Eight, meanwhile, received generally positive reviews, with critics highlighting Tarantino’s signature dialogue, suspense, and star-studded cast.
The film’s twist-filled narrative and unexpected betrayals kept audiences engaged, with many reviewers praising the way Tarantino balanced character-driven storytelling with thrilling suspense. Had Mortensen joined the cast, he would have been part of a complex web of secrets and tension, which is likely why he looks back on it with regret.
Mortensen’s experience reflects the tough choices actors often face, balancing passion projects with career responsibilities. Despite missing out on Tarantino, his dedication to smaller, meaningful films has earned him lasting respect and a reputation as one of the most committed actors of his generation.
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