Nicolas Cage Turned Down The Role Of Aragorn

New Line Cinema

It's common for producers to consider various actors for a role, but did you know Nicolas Cage nearly played Aragorn? He bowed out due to family obligations, and we wonder if he regrets that decision. Irish actor Stuart Townsend landed the role, but apparently director Peter Jackson wasn't crazy about his interpretation.

"I was there rehearsing and training for two months, then was fired the day before filming began," Townsend later revealed. Ouch. Viggo Mortensen wound up playing the Ranger of the North, partially because his son Henry loved the books (what a great dad!)

A famous Australian also (regrettably?) decided not to play Aragorn.