We know the 60-year-old from many appreciated films, including: “A Beautiful Mind” (2001) or “Robin Hood” (2010). However, yours he played the most recognizable character of General Maximus Decimus Meridius in the epic historical production from 2000 – “Gladiator”. After losing his position in the imperial army, the hero had to fight for survival in the Roman arenas. Recreating the role of the brave Maximus It even won him an Oscar in the Best Leading Actor category.
At a similar time when the movie “Gladiator” was made, Peter Jackson decided to adapt the classic of British literature, “The Lord of the Rings” Tolkien. New Zealander to play Aragorn, Guardian of the North, he considered many names. One of them was Crowe.
The actor talked to the director. In an interview with British GQ he recalls:
“I felt like it was a decision made by the studio, not the director. I talked to Peter Jackson on the phone and he didn’t say the kinds of things that directors would say if they really wanted to get you on the project. And he just I got the impression he already had someone else in mindwho he wanted to hire. And me stepping forward and saying yes will actually stand in his way.”
“We come from the same place,” added the actor. “There was a nuance to that conversation that other people might not have heard – we’re both New Zealanders – in our own way, without saying anything negative, that he had a different agenda. So I just left it like that”
As it later turned out, the Oscar winner was right. Jackson saw Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn, who ultimately played the character in the entire trilogy. Russell Crowe never earned the 10% cut he was offered, a potential $100 million. To the question, Does he regret his decision? Answers: “Absolutely”.
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