Few people still debate the movie’s casting decisions more than 20 years after “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” appeared in theatres. That includes James Corden, who recently asserted that he tried out for Samwise Gamgee, one of the movie’s key protagonists. The audition of James Corden as Frodo Baggins was not as we expect and James Corden himself said in a podcast that it wasn’t “Good.” Frodo Baggins was the heart of the LOTR trilogy and with James Corden’s exceptional acting skills, audiences adored the character and many of them were in love with the character development of Frodo Baggins.
In a recent episode of the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, Corden acknowledged that “The Lord of the Rings” was among his initial film auditions. “Every single person in London auditioned for ‘Lord of the Rings.’ Everybody,” Corden said. “I auditioned for Samwise. I was doing it, the accent and everything! Mr Frodo!” Still, despite calling his audition “not good.”
Corden was called back for the part twice. “Two of my other friends went in, and we all got called back the next day, and then we got called back the next day,” he said. “Then none of us got called back after that!” The role eventually went to Sean Astin, who played the hobbit throughout Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings.”
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Corden went on to say that he is a huge fan of the books by J.R.R. Tolkien; has always been drawn to the epic storytelling and complex characters of the “Lord of the Rings” universe. “I’ve always been drawn to stories that take you on a journey and really make you feel like you’re part of the world,” Corden said. “I think that’s what makes ‘Lord of the Rings’ so special and enduring.”
Corden is no stranger to the world of acting, having appeared in numerous films and television shows over the years. He has received critical acclaim for his performances in films such as “Begin Again” and “Into the Woods,” and has also lent his voice to animated films like “The Emoji Movie” and “Trolls.” Corden, who eventually saw all three films of LOTR, added: “I enjoyed it until the last one, and then I was sort of like, ‘Oh, ok, I’ve seen this now. I should’ve gone to see Love Actually.”
There are other late-night hosts with a passion for Tolkien besides Corden. We’re sure that his CBS counterpart, Stephen Colbert of The Late Show, who is a self-described Tolkien super-fan, would’ve leaped at the chance to audition for even the tiniest roles in the franchise. If you haven’t seen the show, we urge you to watch it on CBS till it’s there!
Colbert did, in fact, appear briefly in one of Jackson’s Hobbit movies. And at San Diego Comic-Con in July of last year, he obtained a legally binding guarantee from the creators of the Rings of Power television series on Prime Video that they will cast him in season 2.
It’s still not too late for Corden to adopt a pair of hairy feet according to the Rings of Power series. The host has stated that he intends to depart The Late Night Show at the conclusion of the spring 2023 season and pursue other acting opportunities. Of course, Corden hasn’t fared too poorly for himself since then. Corden has also had parts in movies including “Ocean’s 8,” in addition to presenting CBS’ “The Late Night Show,” from which he will retire sometime in Spring 2023.
Corden told people at the Mammals premier in Hollywood, “I’m worried about being too emotional. I’m worried about crying too much but at the same time, I just got to take a breath and know that there’s a lot to do between now and then. I think we have a hundred to go or something,” he continued about his remaining episodes. “That’s a lot of TV to-dos. A lot of stuff to put out.”
The CBS successful talk show, which has welcomed stars like Harry Styles and Adele since Corden took over for Craig Ferguson in 2015, is what Corden claimed he will miss the most. While it is still unclear whether Corden will ultimately land the role, his audition has certainly sparked excitement among fans of the “Lord of the Rings” franchise and has many wondering what other unexpected casting choices the production may have in store.
Regardless of the outcome, it seems that Corden is taking a bold step in his career and is proving that he is not afraid to take on new and challenging roles. With his talent and versatility, it is certain that he will continue to captivate audiences in whatever projects he chooses to pursue.
Which LOTR movie was your favourite and who was your favourite character in the whole trilogy? Comment below to share your interesting thoughts with us!
Jane Davies
