Jake Gyllenhaal has been remarkable in his acting career so far. Starting as a child actor, the Spider-Man star finally got his breakthrough role when he appeared in the 2001 movie, Donnie Darko. His psychological science fiction drama helped showcase his talent as a versatile and compelling actor.
Even though Hollywood discovered Gyllenhaal through Donnie Darko, there was another movie released the same year that could have propelled him to even more success. Despite being dangerously close to bagging the role and starring opposite Nicole Kidman, he was replaced by none other than the Star Wars actor, Ewan McGregor.
Jake Gyllenhaal Lost Iconic Movie Role To Ewan McGregor
Ewan McGregor starred opposite Nicole Kidman in the musical romantic drama, Moulin Rogue! Both actors were phenomenal and received critical acclaim for their portrayals. With its vibrant colors and elaborate costumes, the movie was crucial in propelling the careers of its lead stars.
Directed by Baz Luhrmann, Moulin Rogue! featured Ewan McGregor as the perfect lead star. However, he was almost replaced by the then-young actor, Jake Gyllenhaal. In an interview, Luhrmann revealed,
“I think about Jake Gyllenhaal, for example, who was very close, very young for the role, but he can really sing. He’s a really great musical artist.”
Even though Gyllenhaal had all that was needed for the role, The Day After Tomorrow star was too young. Barely in his twenties, Gyllenhaal was lesser known and had just entered the world of mainstream cinema. Hence, being too young the actor lost the role and eventually starred in Donnie Darko, which gave him the break he deserved.
Heath Ledger Too Almost Starred In Moulin Rogue!
As revealed by Baz Luhrmann, Moulin Rogue! had another actor in the lineup to play the role of Christian before Ewan McGregor and Jake Gyllenhaal could. And it was none other than The Dark Knight star Heath Ledger. Known for his unique charm and approach to his characters, Ledger was too close to be cast opposite Nicole Kidman.
His unique persona and singing ability would have made him an amazing ‘poet’ and he even worked well with Kidman. However, the age gap between the two actors (12 years) was too much and very evident. So, just as Gyllenhaal was rejected for the role for being too young, Ledger was dropped from the project. And that is how the Star Wars star, Ewan McGregor ended up starring in one of his most well-known roles.
Moulin Rogue! can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video.
Source: The Playlist
