Actor John Leguizamo has featured in some of the most iconic films in his almost three-decades-long career. Leguizamo is also one of the few actors who has had the opportunity to collaborate with director Baz Luhrmann on more than one project. The duo worked together on the 2001 jukebox musical film Moulin Rouge!
During an interview, Leguizamo spoke about working on the movie and playing a key supporting role in it. However, Leguizamo admitted that he was initially offered a different part, which he rejected. Leguizamo later had to convince Luhrmann to let him play a character, which was initially supposed to be played by Rowan Atkinson. Here is what Leguizamo had to say about his casting in Moulin Rouge!
John Leguizamo Talks Convincing Moulin Rouge! Director After Rejecting Initial Role
Actor John Leguizamo first worked with director Baz Luhrmann on the 1996 romantic comedy film Romeo + Juliet, which was a major critical and commercial success. The duo later collaborated once again on the 2001 musical drama Moulin Rouge!
In an interview with the AV Club, Leguizamo spoke at length about some of the most important roles in his career. During the conversation, Leguizamo also touched upon his two projects with Luhrmann.
Leguizamo revealed that the director initially wanted him to play the Unconscious Argentinian in Moulin Rouge!, which he rejected, not wanting to be unconscious for the whole movie.
So I had auditioned for Toulouse-Lautrec, because he wanted Rowan Atkinson, and I convinced him that I could sound British and play this part because he saw me more as Tybalt.
Leguizamo made the above statement explaining how he had to convince Luhrmann to cast him as Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, a real-life French painter and Anglophile who could speak English well. Leguizamo also implied that his earlier work as Tybalt in Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet helped convince the director to give him the part over British actor Rowan Atkinson.
John Leguizamo Discusses Shooting Moulin Rouge! and Working With Baz Luhrmann
During the same interview, Leguizamo also spoke about the process of working with Luhrmann, especially during the shooting of Moulin Rouge! Leguizamo praised the director, calling Luhrmann an eccentric genius.
However, Leguizamo admitted that the shoot for Moulin Rouge! was particularly difficult for him due to the additional skills he had to learn and rehearse.
That was tough. That was, like, a month and a half of rehearsals and speech classes, singing classes, dancing classes in Australia. And then eight months of shooting—the longest shoot I’ve ever been a part of my entire life.
Leguizamo made the above statement, highlighting the challenges he faced while working on the romantic drama film.
Nonetheless, Leguizamo was glad that the hard work paid off since the film was a huge hit, grossing $179.2 million across the globe. It also revived the trend of jukebox musicals and secured eight nominations at the 74th Academy Awards, including two wins.
Moulin Rouge! is streaming on Hulu.
