‘The Lord of the Rings’ Part Nicolas Cage Was Offered – and Turned Down

Nicolas Cage once opened up about a major movie role he almost played, Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings films. Speaking to Newsweek, Cage recalled that the filmmakers behind the epic fantasy were originally in talks with him before Viggo Mortensen ultimately took the part.

Cage said he missed the opportunity because of timing and personal commitments. “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 explained.

Despite passing on one of the most successful film franchises ever, Cage said he 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 said.

Mortensen faced challenges during filming, including deflecting a real blade thrown by an acting Orc and breaking his toe during a fight scene. Cage said it’s interesting to imagine how things might have looked if he had played Aragorn, but he seems content with how it all turned out.

Cage later worked with several Lord of the Rings cast members in other films. He starred alongside Sean Bean in National Treasure and worked with Elijah Wood in The Trust.

Wood has spoken fondly of working with Cage, 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 aren’t always the right fit at the right time. He seems happy to enjoy the films as a fan, while continuing to create memorable performances in his own projects.