Middle Earth is not for Saoirse Ronan. In 2010, the actress released a film titled Lovely Bones directed by Peter Jackson. The story of a murdered young girl who watches from the outside as her family is shocked by her disappearance and tracks down her killer as well as the ongoing investigation.
In 2011, the filmmaker plunged into Tolkien’s world again with the first part of the trilogy, this time dedicated to The Hobbit. and offered the actor a role. His participation in this new adventure was almost certain: casting was officially announced at the end of January 2011, and filming in New Zealand was to begin almost 2 months later.
But he still refused the role, as he explained Irish Examiner May 2013 : “There was talk of me playing the wood elf Itaril, but I had to turn it down. I was really disappointed, but there were other projects to consider and I didn’t mind spending a year on The Hobbit. ‘No,’ I didn’t have time for anything else.’
The character Itaril does not appear in either the film trilogy or Tolkien’s work. He was supposedly invented for Ronan and removed after he turned down the role and was replaced by Elf Tauriel, played by Evangeline Lilly.
A respectable choice, but ultimately unfortunate: his fantasy film Byzantium, directed by Neil Jordan, was a dismal failure at the international box office, grossing just over $828,000.
Violet & Daisy, released in 2011, was even more humiliating, grossing $108,000.
Source: Allocine
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
