Christian Bale, Jake Gyllenhaal and Ewan McGregor.Photo:Ron Phillips/Warner Bros./Everett; Cindy Ord/Getty; 20th Century Fox/EverettJake Gyllenhaalalmost headed to the “Moulin Rouge!”TheRoad Houseactor sat down withHoward Sternfor the host’s eponymous SiriusXM radio show andrevealed what roles he almost played.Gyllenhaal, 43, shared that he auditioned forBaz Luhrmann’s movie musicalMoulin Rouge. While the role ultimately went toEwan McGregor, Gyllenhaal said that the role of Christian was between himself, McGregor, 52, and the lateHeath Ledger.He admitted to Stern, 70, that the audition was the “first time” he had “heard” of hisBrokeback Mountaincostar.Gyllenhaal explained that “at a certain point, [actors] get to a certain place,” where they are aware that other actors are auditioning and getting to the final stages, which includes the “screen test.”Jake Gyllenhaal at SiriusXM Studios on March 20, 2024 in New York City.Cindy Ord/GettyGyllenhaal confessed he was “disappointed" when he didn’t land the part, adding that he thinks Ledger shared the same sentiment.Although he was disappointed, Luhrmann celebrated his talents withThe Playlistin July 2022. He said Gyllenhaal was “very close” for the role, noting, “He’s a really great musical artist.”“In the end, you have to, you learn to go, ‘There’s another one,’ " said Gyllenhaal. “Like, I can try and go in and audition for another one. I’ll get something else. I mean, that’s the thing. You keep that attitude.”Stern then interjected to referenceanother role Gyllenhaal didn’t land—Bruce Wayne, a.k.a. “Batman”inChristopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knighttrilogy. “But I imagine that disappointment after putting on the Batman suit…“Ewan McGregor as Christian in “Moulin Rouge.".Mary Evans/Ronald Grant/EverettThe radio host continued, “Then who calls you to say ‘No, they gave it toChristian [Bale]' after all that prep and everything you put into it?”Gyllenhaal confirmed that both directors of the two films, Luhrmann, 61, and Nolan, 53, called him directly to tell him he didn’t receive the parts. (The role of Bruce Wayne went to Bale in the end, who starred alongside Ledger’s Joker in the second film.)“When you get that far, there’s a real legitimacy to you potentially getting something,” Gyllenhaal began to explain to Stern. “It’s not like they’re going, ‘Oh, thanks so much.’ They’re going, ‘I saw these aspects of you that I really wanted in the role and I think are wonderful. But in the end, I ended up moving this way because it matches…better with this person who’s opposite you or would be opposite you.’ ”Christian Bale as Batman in “The Dark Knight.".Ron Phillips/Warner Bros./EverettTheDonnie Darkoactor explained that there are “nonfactors” taken into consideration for the roles. He confirmed, though, that he tries not to “pick away” at those factors because “it’s not healthy.”Instead, he said that he works to adjust his perspective and tell himself, “Look how far you got,” adding, “Okay, so the next time, let’s try and keep going.”Gyllenhaal then shared that rather than the disappointment, he aligned himself with the positive perspective, even noting that it was “pretty cool,” to receive “a call personally from Christopher Nolan.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Christian Bale, Jake Gyllenhaal and Ewan McGregor.Photo:Ron Phillips/Warner Bros./Everett; Cindy Ord/Getty; 20th Century Fox/Everett
Ron Phillips/Warner Bros./Everett; Cindy Ord/Getty; 20th Century Fox/Everett
Jake Gyllenhaalalmost headed to the “Moulin Rouge!”TheRoad Houseactor sat down withHoward Sternfor the host’s eponymous SiriusXM radio show andrevealed what roles he almost played.Gyllenhaal, 43, shared that he auditioned forBaz Luhrmann’s movie musicalMoulin Rouge. While the role ultimately went toEwan McGregor, Gyllenhaal said that the role of Christian was between himself, McGregor, 52, and the lateHeath Ledger.He admitted to Stern, 70, that the audition was the “first time” he had “heard” of hisBrokeback Mountaincostar.Gyllenhaal explained that “at a certain point, [actors] get to a certain place,” where they are aware that other actors are auditioning and getting to the final stages, which includes the “screen test.”Jake Gyllenhaal at SiriusXM Studios on March 20, 2024 in New York City.Cindy Ord/GettyGyllenhaal confessed he was “disappointed” when he didn’t land the part, adding that he thinks Ledger shared the same sentiment.Although he was disappointed, Luhrmann celebrated his talents withThe Playlistin July 2022. He said Gyllenhaal was “very close” for the role, noting, “He’s a really great musical artist.”“In the end, you have to, you learn to go, ‘There’s another one,’ " said Gyllenhaal. “Like, I can try and go in and audition for another one. I’ll get something else. I mean, that’s the thing. You keep that attitude.”Stern then interjected to referenceanother role Gyllenhaal didn’t land—Bruce Wayne, a.k.a. “Batman”inChristopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knighttrilogy. “But I imagine that disappointment after putting on the Batman suit…“Ewan McGregor as Christian in “Moulin Rouge.".Mary Evans/Ronald Grant/EverettThe radio host continued, “Then who calls you to say ‘No, they gave it toChristian [Bale]' after all that prep and everything you put into it?”Gyllenhaal confirmed that both directors of the two films, Luhrmann, 61, and Nolan, 53, called him directly to tell him he didn’t receive the parts. (The role of Bruce Wayne went to Bale in the end, who starred alongside Ledger’s Joker in the second film.)“When you get that far, there’s a real legitimacy to you potentially getting something,” Gyllenhaal began to explain to Stern. “It’s not like they’re going, ‘Oh, thanks so much.’ They’re going, ‘I saw these aspects of you that I really wanted in the role and I think are wonderful. But in the end, I ended up moving this way because it matches…better with this person who’s opposite you or would be opposite you.’ ”Christian Bale as Batman in “The Dark Knight.".Ron Phillips/Warner Bros./EverettTheDonnie Darkoactor explained that there are “nonfactors” taken into consideration for the roles. He confirmed, though, that he tries not to “pick away” at those factors because “it’s not healthy.”Instead, he said that he works to adjust his perspective and tell himself, “Look how far you got,” adding, “Okay, so the next time, let’s try and keep going.”Gyllenhaal then shared that rather than the disappointment, he aligned himself with the positive perspective, even noting that it was “pretty cool,” to receive “a call personally from Christopher Nolan.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Jake Gyllenhaalalmost headed to the “Moulin Rouge!”
TheRoad Houseactor sat down withHoward Sternfor the host’s eponymous SiriusXM radio show andrevealed what roles he almost played.
Gyllenhaal, 43, shared that he auditioned forBaz Luhrmann’s movie musicalMoulin Rouge. While the role ultimately went toEwan McGregor, Gyllenhaal said that the role of Christian was between himself, McGregor, 52, and the lateHeath Ledger.
He admitted to Stern, 70, that the audition was the “first time” he had “heard” of hisBrokeback Mountaincostar.
Gyllenhaal explained that “at a certain point, [actors] get to a certain place,” where they are aware that other actors are auditioning and getting to the final stages, which includes the “screen test.”
Jake Gyllenhaal at SiriusXM Studios on March 20, 2024 in New York City.Cindy Ord/Getty
Cindy Ord/Getty
Gyllenhaal confessed he was “disappointed” when he didn’t land the part, adding that he thinks Ledger shared the same sentiment.
Although he was disappointed, Luhrmann celebrated his talents withThe Playlistin July 2022. He said Gyllenhaal was “very close” for the role, noting, “He’s a really great musical artist.”
“In the end, you have to, you learn to go, ‘There’s another one,’ " said Gyllenhaal. “Like, I can try and go in and audition for another one. I’ll get something else. I mean, that’s the thing. You keep that attitude.”
Stern then interjected to referenceanother role Gyllenhaal didn’t land—Bruce Wayne, a.k.a. “Batman”inChristopher Nolan’sThe Dark Knighttrilogy. “But I imagine that disappointment after putting on the Batman suit…”
Ewan McGregor as Christian in “Moulin Rouge.".Mary Evans/Ronald Grant/Everett
Mary Evans/Ronald Grant/Everett
The radio host continued, “Then who calls you to say ‘No, they gave it toChristian [Bale]' after all that prep and everything you put into it?”
Gyllenhaal confirmed that both directors of the two films, Luhrmann, 61, and Nolan, 53, called him directly to tell him he didn’t receive the parts. (The role of Bruce Wayne went to Bale in the end, who starred alongside Ledger’s Joker in the second film.)
“When you get that far, there’s a real legitimacy to you potentially getting something,” Gyllenhaal began to explain to Stern. “It’s not like they’re going, ‘Oh, thanks so much.’ They’re going, ‘I saw these aspects of you that I really wanted in the role and I think are wonderful. But in the end, I ended up moving this way because it matches…better with this person who’s opposite you or would be opposite you.’ ”
Christian Bale as Batman in “The Dark Knight.".Ron Phillips/Warner Bros./Everett
Ron Phillips/Warner Bros./Everett
TheDonnie Darkoactor explained that there are “nonfactors” taken into consideration for the roles. He confirmed, though, that he tries not to “pick away” at those factors because “it’s not healthy.”
Instead, he said that he works to adjust his perspective and tell himself, “Look how far you got,” adding, “Okay, so the next time, let’s try and keep going.”
Gyllenhaal then shared that rather than the disappointment, he aligned himself with the positive perspective, even noting that it was “pretty cool,” to receive “a call personally from Christopher Nolan.”
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
source: people.com
