Jake Gyllenhaal Reflects on Auditions for Moulin Rouge and Batman, Says It Was ‘Pretty Cool’ to See ‘How Far’ He Got

Jake Gyllenhaal almost started in “Moulin Rouge!”

The House on the road actor sat down with Howard Stern on the host’s eponymous SiriusXM radio show and revealed the roles he almost played.

Gyllenhaal, 43, said he auditioned for Baz Luhrmann’s film musical Moulin Rouge. While the role eventually went to Ewan McGregor, Gyllenhaal said the role of Christian was between him, McGregor, 52, and the late Heath Ledger.

He admitted to Stern (70) that he “heard” about him “for the first time” at the audition Brokeback Mountain costar.

Gyllenhaal explained that “at a certain point, [actors] get to a certain place”, where they are aware that other actors are auditioning and get to the final stage, which includes a “screen test”.

Jake Gyllenhaal at SiriusXM Studios on March 20, 2024 in New York City.

Cindy Ord/Getty

Gyllenhaal admitted he was “disappointed” when he didn’t get the part, adding that he thought Ledger shared the same sentiment.

Although he was disappointed, Luhrmann celebrated his talents with Tracklist in July 2022. He said Gyllenhaal was “very close” for the role, noting, “He’s a really great musical artist.”

Cult roles that were ‘almost’ played by someone else

“Eventually, you have to, you learn to go, ‘There’s one more,'” Gyllenhaal said. “Like, I can try to audition for one more. I’ll get something else. I mean, that’s the thing. Keep that attitude.”

Stern then chimed in talking about another role Gyllenhaal didn’t get — Bruce Wayne, aka “Batman” in Christopher Nolan’s film dark Knight trilogy. “But I imagine that disappointment after putting on the Batman suit . . .”

Ewan McGregor as Christian in “Moulin Rouge”.

Mary Evans/Ronald Grant/Everett

Jake Gyllenhaal was close to the role of Batman in Christopher Nolan’s trilogy, the screenwriter reveals

The radio host continued, “So who’s calling you to say, ‘No, they gave it to Christian [Bale]’ after all that preparation 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 that he had not been cast. (The role of Bruce Wayne eventually went to Bale, who starred opposite Ledger’s Joker in the second film.)

“When you get that far, there’s a real legitimacy to potentially getting something,” Gyllenhaal began to explain to Stern. “It’s not like they’re going to say, ‘Oh, thank you very much.’ They say, ‘I saw these aspects of you that I really wanted in the role and I think they’re beautiful. But in the end I went this route because it goes … better with the person who is opposite you or would be opposite you.’ ”

Christian Bale as Batman in “The Dark Knight”.

Ron Phillips/Warner Bros./Everett

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The Donnie Darko the actor explained that there are “non-factors” that are considered for roles. He confirmed, however, that he tries not to “select” by these factors because “that is not healthy”.

Instead, he said he works to adjust his perspective and tell himself, “Look how far you’ve come,” adding, “Okay, next time let’s try to keep going.”

Gyllenhaal then said that instead of being disappointed, he aligned himself with a positive outlook, even noting that it was “pretty cool” to receive “a call from Christopher Nolan personally.”

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Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education