Tom Cruise rejected for Ledger’s role

By Alexandra Heilbron on September 4, 2009 | 15 Comments


Tom CruiseTom Cruise offered to help complete Heath Ledger‘s last film, The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, but was rejected by the film’s director, Terry Gilliam, because Cruise had not personally known the late star. Instead, Gilliam hired Johnny Depp, Jude Law and Colin Farrell to play different versions of the character Ledger had begun to portray in the film when he passed away during a break from filming. Gilliam told Total Film magazine, “I’m not sure if it was Tom or his agent (who put Cruise forward for the role). I know there was a period when Tom’s agents were keen. The thing is, I was only interested in people who were friends of Heath. Simple as that. I wanted to keep it in the family.”  The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus screens at the Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall on Friday, September 18. 



Comments & Discussion

  1. mandee • September 4, 2009 @ 5:35 PM

    hmm, i wonder if it can be considered discrimination?

  2. cierra • September 4, 2009 @ 7:22 PM

    he should be discriminated against – not only is he a horrible actor he is also a total psycho – he needs a room with padded walls.

  3. tributegirl • September 4, 2009 @ 7:51 PM

    I wonder if he planned on doing like the others, and giving all the money earned from the movie to Matilda, or if he was planning on keeping it for himself.

  4. mandee • September 4, 2009 @ 9:29 PM

    ahh, thats a good question, tg. i didnt even think about that actually, i forgot about it. cierra, i think hes a nut too, but i do like him in some of the movies he played in.

  5. Moon • September 5, 2009 @ 12:12 AM

    good one cierra but you forgot to add sofas in the room for him to jump on LOL!

  6. mandee • September 5, 2009 @ 3:16 AM

    i am so disappointed that i MISSED that. i never got to see him do that crap 🙁

  7. Carol • September 5, 2009 @ 6:06 PM

    Tom sucks!

  8. tributegirl • September 5, 2009 @ 8:07 PM

    Agreed again, Carol!!!

  9. demigod • September 5, 2009 @ 8:17 PM

    Mandee, you can see it on youtube..

    Don’t care for his personal life, but he does make great movies.

  10. mandee • September 6, 2009 @ 12:04 AM

    demigod, i was wondering if i could, but i didnt know what id search for lol.

  11. April • September 6, 2009 @ 2:37 AM

    I also like Tom’s movies, (most of them anyways)!! Mandee, I THINK you go to the website and put in Tom Cruise on Couch on Oprah (or leave out the couch part only) or just Tom Cruise and there wil be lists of ones to choose from!!

  12. Minerva • September 6, 2009 @ 3:19 AM

    No there won’t be any money left over to give to Matilda after he gives it all to that stupid church of Scientology cult he belongs to.

  13. IceBlueEyes • September 6, 2009 @ 5:14 AM

    LOL cierra!….I agree that he’s a bit psychotic, lol…but I think he’s a pretty good actor with plenty of awsome flicks.

  14. Jo-Anne • September 9, 2009 @ 9:23 AM

    tom’s done some really memorable roles in films, agree april and d.g….

    in this case, I love the three actors chosen to portray parts in the film, think they’ll all do a fine job…

  15. April • September 10, 2009 @ 5:02 PM

    I agree Jo,

    I as well, love all of the 3 mentioned above and love Tom’s work as well!! Did you get my messages yet? In regards to my post to you on Michael Madsen blog 8/29 at 3:52 a.m., as I’m dying to know if it was you and your daughter?

    So what’s new with you?


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