James Corden (L); Sean Astin as Samwise Gamgee.Photo: Dia Dipasupil/Getty, Pierre Vinet/New Line/Saul Zaentz/Wing Nut/Kobal/Shutterstock
James Corden’s career could’ve had a very different trajectory.
TheLate Late Showhost said on Tuesday’sHappy Sad Confusedpodcast episode that he was once among “every single person in London” who “auditioned forLord of the Rings,” which was one of his first film tryouts.
“Iauditioned for Samwise[Gamgee],” Corden, 44, said about the part of the hobbit character that eventually went toSean Astin. “I was doing the accent and everything: ‘Mr Frodo!’ "
Callinghis audition “not good,“Corden went on to reveal he tried out with two friends and that they “all got called back the next day” and the day after that as well.
But, “None of us got called back after that,” he said with a laugh, adding that he “very much enjoy(s)” theLord of the Ringsfilms today, with no hard feelings.
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Aside from Astin, 51, as Samwise, thePeter Jackson–directed film trilogy featured a star-studded cast that includedElijah Wood,Ian McKellen,Viggo Mortensen,Sean Bean,Billy Boyd,Dominic Monaghan,John Rhys-Davies,Orlando Bloom,Liv Tyler,Cate Blanchett,Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving,Ian Holm,Andy Serkis,Miranda Ottoand more.
The epic is set thousands of years before the events of Tolkien’sThe HobbitandLord of the Ringsbooks. It takes place in Tolkien’s Middle-earth — but follows a different storyline than the iconic films, and introducesLOTRandHobbitmovie fans to legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth’s history for the first time onscreen.
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As for Corden, the London-born actor recently admitted that it’s going to be “beyond emotional” for him toleaveThe Late Late Showwhen his contract comes to an end in spring 2023. He’s known for movie roles inInto the Woods,Cats,The PromandPeter Rabbit.
“I’mworried about being too emotional. I’m worried about crying too much,” Corden told PEOPLE last month at theMammalspremiere in Hollywood. “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.”
As for what he’s going to miss most about the CBS hit talk show — which has welcomed everyone fromHarry StylestoAdelesince Corden took over forCraig Fergusonin 2015 — Corden said it’s all about the people he has met along the way.
“It’s about soaking up the people and the friendships that I’ve made,” he told PEOPLE. “That’s the thing which I’ll carry with me forever.”
source: people.com
