The Lord of the Rings franchise is one of history's most beloved film trilogies. Based on the books by J.R.R. Tolkien, the first movie hit theaters in 2001, and audiences were hooked. The story centers on the hobbit Frodo Baggins, who aided by a Fellowship travels the ends of Middle-Earth to destroy the One Ring. The franchise was so successful, it spurred director Peter Jackson to follow up with The Hobbit trilogy. But when it comes to the beloved trilogy, there is much more than meets the eye.

A certain action star turned down a pivotal role.

Sean Connery Nearly Played Gandalf But Didn't Understand The Book

New Line Cinema

It's hard to imagine Lord of the Rings without Ian McKellen as Gandalf, but he wasn't the only actor who was up for the role. Scottish star Sean Connery read the script but didn't feel right for the role. "I never understood it. I read the book. I read the script. I saw the movie. I still don't understand it 2026," he later admitted.

"I would be interested in doing something that I didn't fully understand, but not for 18 months," he continued. Connery would have been paid a small salary and 15 percent of the film's profits if he took the role (it went on to earn nearly $3 billion globally).