Filed under no news is really old news, Tom Hiddleston told Chelsea Handler on Monday night that he had originally auditioned to play the title character in "Thor," but was cast as the villainous Loki instead.
"I auditioned and I swung the hammer but they were always looking for Loki as well, and I think the closer I got, they were like, 'You should play the bad guy,'" Hiddleston said.
Hiddlestoners*, of course, know that tale by now. Back in 2011, the 32-year-old star told Vulture that Marvel decided a more physically imposing actor was needed for the Thor role.
"The funny thing about auditioning for Thor is that the role itself hadn't emerged clearly on the page then," Hiddleston said. "There are so many facets of Thor in the comics -- there's the part of him that's a hot-headed Viking brute, but there's also the part that's a noble king. I think that Kenneth [Branagh, who directed 'Thor'] and [Marvel Studios president] Kevin Feige were still circling around different aspects of the character, and around the time I screen-tested, they realized that they needed someone with a very palpable physical intensity. And the moment I met Chris Hemsworth and saw that his biceps were the size of my head, I saw exactly what they meant."
In a separate interview with MTV that same year, Hiddleston joked that Feige initially thought he was auditioning for Loki anyway, but allowed him to proceed with his Thor tryout.
"[Feige] was like, 'This is the Loki audition, right?' And then Ken Branagh went, 'No, this is a Thor audition,' and he went, 'Oh, okay. I guess we could try it,'" Hiddleston said.
All's well that ends well, though, as Hiddleston has played Loki through three films: "Thor," "Marvel's The Avengers" and the upcoming "Thor" sequel, "Thor: The Dark World." His performance in that movie, out Nov. 8, has already drawn significant praise from critics and fans. At an all-media screening of "Thor: The Dark World" on Monday night in Manhattan, a group of children were chanting "Loki" as the film's credits rolled.
*Hiddleston fans are called Hiddlestoners, p.s.
Loading Slideshow
Django In "Django Unchained"
Jamie Foxx played the title role in "Django Unchained," but he wasn't director Quentin Tarantino's first choice.
The Part Almost Went To ...
Will Smith, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/25/will-smith-django-unchained-role_n_2950796.html" target="_blank">who turned the role down because it wasn't "the lead."</a>
Bella Swan In "Twilight"
Kristen Stewart shot to fame thanks to her role in the "Twilight" franchise. However!
The Part Almost Went To ...
Fellow YA superstar Jennifer Lawrence, <a href="http://www.celebuzz.com/2012-02-28/jennifer-lawrence-glad-she-lost-twilight-role-to-kristen-stewart/" target="_blank">who apparently auditioned to play Bella in 2008</a>. Lawrence was later cast in "The Hunger Games."
Lisbeth Salander In "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo"
Rooney Mara was nominated for an Oscar after playing Lisbeth in "Girl With The Dragon Tattoo."
The Part Almost Went To ...
Scarlett Johansson, who was deemed too attractive for the dark role <a href="http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/david-fincher-scarlett-johansson-sexy-girl-with-dragon-tattoo-vogue-rooney-mara-249848" target="_blank">by director David Fincher</a>.
Jake Sully In "Avatar"
Sam Worthington was the breakout star of "Avatar."
The Part Almost Went To ...
Matt Damon, <a href="http://www.cinemablend.com/new/Matt-Damon-Talks-About-How-He-Turned-Down-Avatar-And-Rescue-Dawn-23412.html" target="_blank">who turned it down to star in "Green Zone."</a>
Han Solo In "Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope"
Harrison Ford rose to fame as the captain of the Millennium Falcon.
The Part Almost Went To ...
Al Pacino, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/03/al-pacino-star-wars-han-solo_n_3380625.html" target="_blank">who turned the film down because he didn't understand the script</a>.
Severus Snape In "Harry Potter"
Alan Rickman made Prof. Snape a beloved anti-hero in "Harry Potter."
The Part Almost Went To ...
Tim Roth, <a href="http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2008/01/23/tim_roth_has_no_regrets_after_missing_ou" target="_blank">who turned down Snape because he reportedly thought the role was under-developed</a>.
Captain Jack Sparrow In "Pirates Of The Caribbean"
Johnny Depp became one of the biggest stars in the world after playing Captain Jack in "Pirates of the Caribbean."
The Part Almost Went To ...
<a href="http://splitsider.com/2011/03/the-lost-roles-of-jim-carrey/" target="_blank">Jim Carrey was among the major stars considered to play Jack Sparrow</a> in the first "Pirates" film, but the project would have conflicted with "Bruce Almighty."
Driver in "Drive"
The bromance between Ryan Gosling and director Nicolas Winding Refn is <a href="http://www.vulture.com/2011/05/goslings_bromances.html" target="_blank">well-documented</a>, but did you know it almost never happened. That's because a former Oscar host almost starred in "Drive."
The Part Almost Went To ...
Hugh Jackman was originally cast in "Drive" when it was going to be directed by Neil Marshall. <a href="http://blog.moviefone.com/2010/02/12/ryan-gosling-will-drive-instead-of-hugh-jackman/" target="_blank">Gosling came aboard in 2010</a>.
Gandalf In "The Lord Of The Rings"
Sir Ian McKellen played Gandalf in all three of Peter Jackson's "Lord of the Rings" films and he reprised the role for Jackson's "The Hobbit" trilogy. (The first "Hobbit" film was released in 2012.)
The Part Almost Went To ...
<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/19/lord-of-the-rings-sean-connery-gandalf_n_2157431.html" target="_blank">Sean Connery is rumored</a> to have turned down an offer to star in "Lord of the Rings." The last time he appeared onscreen in a live-action film was 2003's "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen."
Patrick Bateman In "American Psycho"
Christian Bale played the terrifying serial killer at the center of "American Psycho," but he wasn't the first star attached to the role.
The Part Almost Went To ...
Back in 1998, Lionsgate announced that Leonardo DiCaprio would star in "American Psycho," which was great news for everyone except Bale. Director Mary Harron had already offered him the role. <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2000/mar/24/fiction.breteastonellis" target="_blank">DiCaprio eventually left the project after years of development</a>.
Agent J In "Men In Black"
Will Smith made Agent J look good in "Men In Black," but he wasn't the first choice for the part.
The Part Almost Went To ...
Chris O'Donnell. He was originally cast in the film, until director <a href="http://www.vulture.com/2012/04/barry-sonnenfeld--men-in-black-3.html" target="_blank">Barry Sonnenfeld convinced the studio otherwise</a>.
Catherine Tramell in "Basic Instinct"
One of Sharon Stone's most iconic roles was in the super sexy thriller "Basic Instinct." But she wasn't the first choice to play the mysterious Catherine Tramell.
The Part Almost Went To ...
"Top Gun" beauty Kelly McGillis was initially considered for the role but it ultimately went to Stone, launching her film career.
Johnny Castle in "Dirty Dancing"
In the classic film about a sultry romance between dance instructor Johnny Castle and Baby Houseman, Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey were the perfect pair. But another leading man almost snagged the lead male role.
The Part Almost Went To ...
"Top Gun" heartthrob Val Kilmer was also considered for the role of Johnny in the 1987 hit movie.
Jack Torrance in "The Shining"
Jack Nicholson struck fear into his own family as Jack Torrance, the psychotic father who tries to kill his wife and son. But this part almost went to another Hollywood star.
The Part Almost Went To ...
Robin Williams was considered for the part, which would have definitely been an interesting role for the funny man.
Vivian Ward in "Pretty Woman"
Julia Roberts captured hearts across the nation with her role as Richard Gere's escort turned romantic interest Vivian Ward. But this love story may have had a different look had the film's first choice accepted the role.
The Part Almost Went To ...
Molly Ringwald was first offered the part but turned it down, making way for Roberts to perform one of her most memorable roles.
Clarice Starling in "Silence of the Lambs"
Jodie Foster won a Golden Globe and Oscar for her portrayal as Clarice Starling, an FBI agent responsible for getting assistance from Hannibal Lecter, a demented psychopath played by Anthony Hopkins. But Foster wasn't the first pick for the role.
The Part Almost Went To ...
Michelle Pfeiffer was first offered the role, but she turned it down due to its violent storyline.
Indiana Jones in "Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark"
Harrison Ford is best known for his role as the fearless archaeologist Indiana Jones. But that runaway boulder was almost chasing another leading man.
The Part Almost Went To ...
The film's writer and producer George Lucas was set on Tom Selleck as Jones, but Steven Spielberg pushed for Ford.
Neo in "The Matrix"
Keanu Reeves scored a huge win after being cast as Neo in the science fiction hit film "The Matrix." But Reeves initially had a little competition for the part.
The Part Almost Went To ...
Ewan McGregor was first cast at Neo but decided to turn down the film to play Obi-Wan Kenobe in "Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menance."
Maximus in "Gladiator"
Russell Crowe won an Oscar for his performance as Maximus in the hit film "Gladiator." But there was another Aussie actor who was initially considered for the part.
The Part Almost Went To ...
Mel Gibson was offered the role but turned it down.
Cher Horowitz in "Clueless"
Alicia Silverstone seemed to perfectly embody the Beverly Hills High student, matchmaker and popular girl Cher Horowitz in the 90s classic "Clueless." A 90s television favorite was first considered for the part, though.
The Part Almost Went To ...
Sarah Michelle Geller was initially offered the role but passed on the film. The movie went on to launch Silverstone's career.
Jack Dawson in "Titanic"
Leonardo DiCaprio struck gold when he was cast as the love interest of Kate Winslet in the mega hit "Titanic." But had the studio had its choice, another Hollywood hottie would have played the role of Jack Dawson.
The Part Almost Went To ...
Matthew McConaughey was the first choice for the role of Jack. But in the end, Leo was cast and Jack and Rose were etched into the memories of hopeless romantics around the world.
Forrest Gump in "Forrest Gump"
Tom Hanks may have been down one Oscar and Golden Globe win if the studio's first choice for Forrest Gump had accepted the role.
The Part Almost Went To ...
John Travolta turned down the part, making way for a memorable performance and even more memorable quotes from Hanks.
Tony Stark in "Iron Man"
Robert Downey Jr. played billionaire Tony Stark in both "Iron Man" and "Iron Man 2." But he wasn't the first choice for the role.
The Part Almost Went To ...
Tom Cruise was offered the role first but ultimately turned it down due to issues with the script.
0 comments:
Post a Comment