Countless myths and legends have surfaced about David Bowie following the star’s passing last year. While plenty are either unverified or blatantly false, several entertainment industry heads can verify the story of Bowie auditioning for a role in the Lord of the Rings.
Although known for his experimental and boundary-pushing music, Bowie approached acting as another art form. His roles have been varied and diverse, with appearances in films such as The Man Who Fell to Earth, Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, Zoolander and David Lynch’s Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.
David Bowie was in the running to play Elrond, Lord of Rivendell before his role was given to Hugo Weaving – imagine what could have been!
According to actor Dominic Monaghan, who played Merry in the film franchise, the actor saw Bowie come in to audition.
“As I was reading a magazine waiting, David Bowie came in… and I’m assuming he read for Gandalf. I can’t think of anything else he would’ve read for… just seeing him in person was pretty special to me.”
Bowie was in line to play Elrond, Lord of Rivendell before the role was given to Hugo Weaving.
In a 2001 interview, director Peter Jackson said that he wanted to cast actors who were relatively unknown at the time, which included Orlando Bloom and Hugo Weaving, who had acted in the just-released Matrix.
“These are famous, famous characters, loved for nearly 50 years. To have a famous, beloved character and a famous star colliding is slightly uncomfortable,” said director Peter Jackson in a 2001 interview.
Lord of The Rings screenwriters Philippa Boyens and Fran Walsh said they were excited to have Bowie on board, but that the studio was not particularly interested in the musician, even though he had played Jareth the Goblin King in Labyrinth.
“I don’t think the studio were that keen at that point so we never did meet with him,” Walsh said.
The star was also rumoured to have been offered an appearance in Guardians of the Galaxy before he passed away.
Via Far Out Magazine.
