This isn't a "Two Towers"-centric post, so I put it into movie talk.

In the DVD, the people keep commenting on the fact that someone other than Viggo Mortenson was supposed to play Aragorn but dropped out close to the last minute.

Anyone know who it was?

Stuart Townsend.

Just a backup post. It was indeed Stuart Townsend. I don't think they were displeased with his efforts, but they needed somebody older to play Aragorn.

I remember back in the Summer of '98 Keanu Reeves was talking about campaigning for that role. Glad he didn't get it.

Thanks!

I agree, Keanu Reeves would've sucked in that role!

In Premiere magazine (with Viggo on the cover), it says that it was announced on the third day of shooting that Townsend would be leaving the production.

As posted above, it was apparently due to his age. Townsend was only 26 at the time, and though they tried making him look older through make-up, it just wasn't working.

Damn, Keanu would have been awesome

But surely they discussed his age when they were in the casting process?
Why hadn't they considered Viggo Mortensen during casting?

It seems a bit odd to me.

"Whoa Gandalf, WHOA!!!!"

"... i know elvish."

If there had to be somebody from The Matrix in the LOTR films, thank God it was Hugo Weaving.

They made a mistake, and Townsend kept telling them that they cast the role too young. They finally listened and fired him in mid-shoot.

Are you serious?!

Amazing how things work out, Viggo Mortenson is perfect for the role.

Well, not really mid-shoot. More like a few days in. He's still angry he didn't get paid.

i'm wondering how much Peter Jackson had to do with his casting.. i say this because Barrie Osborne produced both The Matrix and the LOTR films...

-di doctor-

I was more incredulous about Townsend himself alledgedly telling the filmmakers that he was too young for the part. Seems kinda dumb to then whine about being fired.

That must suck for Townsend. Seeing that the film has achieved Great popularity.

Although many of the actors could possibly be typecast after the movie

Well it allowed him to go make Trapped where he met and is now dating Charlize Theron. I'd say things worked out well for him in the end

He's free to suck in the prOn version of LOTR [insert LOTR parody prOn titles here]....

.... since I won't need to see that.

I thought Viggo did a great job but I'll have to go back and rewatch FOTR with this in mind to see if he shows less polish then the others since he didn't get the preparation time.

When all is said and done (the trilogy’s overall box-office and DVD revenue counted) I'd think there would be worse things.

Eric Stoltz is preventing Townsend footage from being on the DVD

While most of the lesser-known actors might suffer from this, the main cast is comprised of extremely familiar faces with memorable bodies of work behind them. I therefore disagree to some large degree.

I read that Daniel Day Lewis was offered the role, but obviously turned it down.