Emerald Fennell’s recently released psychological thriller Saltburn is making quite the buzz on the internet. Featuring rising stars Jacob Elordi and Barry Keoghan in lead roles, the movie narrates the story of a college student named Oliver. Played by Keoghan, the character finds himself drawn into the world of his charming and aristocratic classmate played by Elordi.
With the eccentric movie becoming a big deal among fans, Jacob Elordi and Barry Keoghan sit for an interview with British Vogue. Discussing how Timothée Chalamet was initially sought for the role of Oliver, Elordi teased Keoghan as the second choice for having raunchy scenes.
Also read: Saltburn Director Made Barry Keoghan Dance Naked for 11 Takes: “I had to say ‘sorry’”
Barry Keoghan Was the Second Choice for Saltburn
Emerald Fennell’s buzzy sophomore film Saltburn appears to be entertaining fans with its slick intrigue of a Gothic thriller and the icy wit of a comedy of manners. Narrating the story of the University of Oxford loner Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) the movie explores the psychological impact of wealth and glamor.
Although the movie’s target isn’t straightforward, it clearly depicts class politics and the vampire-like concept where one sucks the sympathy out of people. Following a voyeurism that’s most erotic, Saltburn also features raunchy scenes between Barry Keoghan‘s character and his aristocratic classmate Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi).
But while the movie majorly focuses on Barry Keoghan’s Oliver Quick, the actor wasn’t the first choice for the film. Despite previously playing shifty oddball-like characters in The Banshees of Inisherin and more, Keoghan almost didn’t get the chance to play the lead, as the director initially sought Timothée Chalamet.
Jacob Elordi’s Suggestion Replaced Timothée Chalamet
Appearing for an interview with British Vogue, Jacob Elordi first teased the topic of how Barry Keoghan wasn’t the first choice to play Oliver Quick. According to the Priscilla actor, Keoghan was almost replaced by Timothée Chalamet. Calling The Green Knight star second choice to have kinky scenes in Saltburn, Elordi discussed what drew him into the role.
“Definitely [Emerald Fennell], yeah it was Emerald. Then she said she wanted Timothée Chalamet for it. And I said ‘have you thought about Barry Keoghan’”.
Almost teasing how he accepted the role of Felix Catton in Saltburn because the director told him that she would cast Timothée Chalamet, Jacob Elordi later mentioned suggesting Keoghan’s name. Both the actors shared laughter when Elordi noted that Emerald Fennell was looking for Chalamet to play Oliver Quick.
Although Timothée Chalamet has been quite the versatile actor and there’s no doubt that he would have nailed the role, Barry Keoghan brought a different edge to the character. Given his magnetism that leaps off the screen, Keoghan was undoubtedly the best choice for the vampire-like, sympathy, and body fluid-sucking role of Oliver.
