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Uma Thurman says turning down Lord of the Rings was 'worst decision I ever made'

Thurman… turned down the role of Eowyn – Credit: Deadline
Thurman… turned down the role of Eowyn – Credit: Deadline

Regrets. Uma Thurman has a few.

One of the biggest being that time that she turned down that role in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ movies.

The actress revealed her decision to Stephen Colbert, a renowned fan of Peter Jackson’s fantasy series, this week.

She was set to play Eowyn, the unrequited love of Aragorn, played the Australian actress Miranda Otto in both ‘The Two Towers’ and ‘The Return of the King’.

(Credit: Rex Features)
(Credit: Rex Features)

Asked if the rumours she was to play the part were true, she replied: “Yes. It was a very long time ago, and I do consider it one of the worst decisions ever made.

“But I had just had my first child, and I just – I don’t know, I was a little housebound… It’s really definitely a regret.”

Previously, it had been thought that Thurman turned down the role of Arwen, the half-elven daughter of Elrond and which was scooped up by Liv Tyler.

But while she might have regretted the decision, she joins a venerable group of actors who were set to appear in the epic movies, but then did not.

David Bowie was in line to play Gandalf, as was Sean Connery, who was said to have turned down a staggering $30 million to play the wizard.

He admitted some years later: “I read the script, I saw the movie. I still don’t understand it. Ian McKellen, I believe, is marvellous in it.”

Christopher Plummer was also up for Gandalf, while Daniel Day-Lewis was offered Aragorn, the part which went to Viggo Mortensen.

Nicolas Cage and Russell Crowe were also said to in the frame for Aragorn too.

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