The casting process was undoubtedly crucial, requiring multiple rounds of complex auditions.
Most of the actors Gilbert invited successfully passed their auditions and secured their roles. The production team quickly notified them.
After listening to his friend's advice, Orlando Bloom went back to his agent and told him that he wanted to audition for The Lord of the Rings.
His agent was firmly against it, insisting that Orlando Bloom was not a qualified actor and had no chance of passing the audition.
The agent even suggested that Orlando Bloom should enroll in acting classes to learn how to perform properly.
However, his friend's words held more sway than his agent's. Determined, Orlando Bloom got angry and directly fired his agent, planning to switch to a different agency.
This incident ended up alarming the two bosses of International Creative Management. When Michael Ovitz heard about it, he immediately fired the short-sighted agent.
After that, Martin Bob personally took over Orlando Bloom's management.
Since Orlando Bloom was about to audition for a Gilbert project, Michael Ovitz, who knew Gilbert very well, understood one thing:
Once Gilbert extended an audition invitation, it was almost certain that the invited actor was the chosen one. There wouldn't be a replacement.
Recognizing Orlando Bloom's potential, Michael Ovitz was not about to let such a promising rising star leave International Creative Management.
Although Michael Ovitz had clashed with Gilbert several times due to direct competition, those very conflicts had given him deep insight into Gilbert.
So, while most Hollywood professionals were skeptical about this project, Michael Ovitz, on the contrary, believed that Gilbert was bound to succeed.
He even told Martin Bob, "If it were Spielberg or George Lucas adapting The Lord of the Rings, I would bet on failure. But since it's Gilbert, I consider this project already a success."
Martin Bob was curious: "Nathan, you have that much confidence in this project?"
"It's not about confidence in the project, but confidence in Gilbert. He's a director who creates miracles." Michael Ovitz sounded a bit regretful.
Such a miraculous director, and yet, he wasn't under his management—how could Michael Ovitz not feel a sense of loss?
With everything settled, Orlando Bloom smoothly attended the audition and won over everyone.
To be honest, as a newcomer with little experience, Orlando Bloom's acting was rough—his performance was stiff, and he had a tendency toward an expressionless face.
But for Legolas, a role that didn't require much acting depth, he was the perfect fit because he was simply too handsome—his looks were striking.
In other words, Legolas was essentially a male "flower vase" character, and Orlando Bloom fully grasped the essence of the role. Being handsome was enough.
There was no competition for this role. Even though a few actors with stronger acting skills auditioned as well, none of them had the same aura as Orlando Bloom.
With several roles confirmed, the production team quickly sent out notifications.
Elijah Wood soon received the news—he had secured the role he had been dreaming of, along with the opportunity to work with Gilbert.
His entire family was overjoyed. This was the biggest-name director Elijah Wood had ever worked with in his career.
This director was extraordinary. Elijah was determined to use this project as a stepping stone to become a major Hollywood star.
Elijah Wood's father was so thrilled that he boasted about it to his friends and neighbors, proudly announcing that his son was about to star in a Gilbert film.
One morning, while heading out for breakfast, Elijah Wood's father, Mr. Wood, passed by a newsstand and spotted a local dentist who had always looked down on their family.
Seizing the opportunity, Mr. Wood deliberately raised his voice, ensuring that the people around him could hear:
"Did you know? Last night, Gilbert himself called me!"
A bald man browsing newspapers played along and asked, "Mr. Wood, the Gilbert you're talking about… surely, it's that Gilbert?"
"Of course!" Mr. Wood said smugly. "He called me personally—very polite and well-mannered."
The remark was a veiled jab at the dentist, who, due to his high income and social status, had always spoken in an arrogant manner.
Many people disliked the dentist's attitude, but since they were of lower social standing, they had no choice but to tolerate it.
Now that someone was finally putting the dentist in his place, the crowd eagerly joined in.
Someone asked, "Mr. Wood, why would Director Gilbert call you? Surely, it wasn't just for a casual chat?"
"Of course not," Mr. Wood's smugness grew.
The dentist's face darkened as he silently grabbed a newspaper and prepared to leave.
Not wanting to miss the chance to flaunt, Mr. Wood quickly raised his voice:
"A busy man like Gilbert wouldn't call me without a reason. The truth is, my son, Elijah Wood, has passed the audition, so he personally called to inform us!"
"But it's just a role. Couldn't he have had an assistant make the call?" someone questioned.
Before Mr. Wood could reply, another person eagerly explained,
"For important roles, directors often notify actors themselves. It shows how crucial the role is and reminds the actor to take it seriously.
Mr. Wood, am I right?"
Mr. Wood nodded in satisfaction: "Exactly!"
The person who had spoken up then put on a fawning smile and said, "Mr. Wood, when Elijah becomes a big star, don't forget to get us an autograph!"
Watching the dentist walk away faster and faster, Mr. Wood's sense of satisfaction reached its peak:
"No problem! I'll make sure everyone gets one!"
Perhaps this was what it felt like to have someone rise to fame and bring glory to the family.
The news that Elijah Wood was about to star in a Gilbert film—playing the lead role—quickly spread throughout the neighborhood.
Thanks to Mr. Wood's big mouth, word got out fast.
Suddenly, their home saw an influx of unexpected visitors, and neighbors frequently invited Mr. Wood to various gatherings.
Elijah Wood's mother found these opportunistic neighbors irritating.
Mr. Wood, on the other hand, basked in the compliments, practically forgetting his own name.
The situation escalated when his boss, upon hearing that his son was starring in a Gilbert movie, personally sought him out for a chat—asking if he could get an autographed photo of Gilbert.
At that point, Mr. Wood was completely lost in his own world.
Fortunately, he still remembered that it was his son who had become famous, not himself. For matters beyond his control, he refrained from making empty promises.
Whenever people asked Mr. Wood where Elijah Wood was, he would always proudly reply, "Elijah has already joined Director Gilbert's crew. He's currently training in horseback riding!"
Indeed, he was. After passing their auditions, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, Billy Boyd, Orlando Bloom, John Rhys-Davies, and others were sent straight to the training ground by Gilbert.
According to requirements, they had to master horseback riding and sword fighting. Ian McKellen also needed to learn a unique staff combat style, while Orlando Bloom, playing Legolas, had to train in archery.
At the same time, the production team brought in several linguists to refine the Elvish language created by Tolkien before teaching it to the actors.
Gilbert required that all lead actors whose characters were supposed to speak Elvish actually learn to do so fluently.
For the actors, this was an immense challenge. Not only did they have to train in horseback riding and swordsmanship, but they also had to study Elvish to meet the director's expectations.
If this had been some of the young actors of the previous generation, who only mouthed "one, two, three, four" in place of lines, they would never have managed. As for training in horseback riding and swordsmanship? Forget it. Their schedules were "too full."
Aside from these roles, there was also a particularly unique one—the character Gollum.
Gilbert sent an invitation to motion capture master Andy Serkis, asking him to take on the role.
Andy Serkis gladly accepted and had already begun pre-filming motion capture work at Orange Visual Effects Studio.
Another major change was in the casting of Arwen.
In the previous timeline, this role had been played by Liv Tyler. That reckless girl, just like her rockstar father, never played by the rules—she ended up having a fling with Gilbert.
Afterward, she went around boasting about it everywhere, even referring to herself as Gilbert's little sweetheart.
Given the help she provided, and since he had indeed been involved with her, Gilbert tacitly allowed her to act as she pleased.
However, when it came to Liv Tyler playing Arwen, Gilbert was truly dissatisfied.
He directly reassigned her to the newly approved Fast & Furious project, keeping her away from The Lord of the Rings.
At first, Liv Tyler was a bit heartbroken that she wouldn't get to work with Gilbert. But after he convinced her that Fast & Furious had been created just for her, she happily took the role.
With Liv Tyler out of the picture, the role of Arwen needed to be recast.
This role, along with that of Éowyn, became highly sought after by numerous actresses. With Nicole Kidman confirmed to play Galadriel, these were among the few significant female roles left.
Arwen, in particular, was a prime role. Gilbert had made some adjustments to the character, adding several action scenes and increasing her screen time compared to the original version.
The importance of this role was self-evident—even Nicole Kidman admitted that if Gilbert were willing, she would have loved to play Arwen herself.
But Gilbert refused. Nicole Kidman was already playing a motherly figure—how could she portray a princess?
Besides, she lacked the delicate, ethereal quality needed for the role. Her aura was too commanding, too cold—more fitting for a queen.
The casting decision for Arwen required careful consideration. Gilbert even found himself cornered at one point.
Here's what happened: After losing the role in Girl,Interrupted to Jennifer Connelly, Angelina Jolie found herself with nothing to do and set her sights on The Lord of the Rings.
Angelina's reasoning was simple—Jennifer Connelly had secured her role thanks to her connection with Gilbert.
So, why not go straight to the source? If she could land a key role in Gilbert's film, she would have the last laugh.
Thus, after the auditions for Arwen, Angelina Jolie seized the opportunity to corner Gilbert.
Confident in her charm—after all, she had built her Hollywood career on her stunning looks and undeniable sex appeal—Angelina believed that if she could seduce Gilbert, the role would be hers.
However, things didn't go as she expected. Gilbert showed zero interest in her, leaving Angelina questioning everything.
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