Mel Gibson’s 2000 historical epic originally offered the villain role to Jude Law. Gibson rocketed onto the scene as a leading man with the release of George Miller’s first Mad Max movie in 1979, and he reprised his role as drifter Max Rockatansky for Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981) and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985). After bidding farewell to this post-apocalyptic franchise, Gibson’s star power only grew with the release of Lethal Weapon in 1987, another movie that spawned a franchise.

After starring in Gallipoli in 1981, Gibson made a splash in the historical epic genre in 1995, this time also taking on directing duties. Braveheart remains one of Gibson’s most iconic and beloved films, with the star taking on the role of Scottish rebellion leader William Wallace. Gibson then returned to the genre once more in 2000, playing the lead in a war epic with a truly chilling villain.

Jude Law Almost Starred In The Patriot

Jason Isaacs Shares How He Scored The Role Of Tavington

The Patriot

star Jason Isaacs reveals that Jude Law was initially offered the role of the film’s villain. Directed by Roland Emmerich, The Patriot takes place during the American Revolution, with Gibson playing Benjamin Martin, a peaceful farmer who takes up arms after his son is killed by a sadistic British officer. Isaacs, who is perhaps best known for playing Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter franchise, plays the sadistic officer in question, Colonel William Tavington, who serves as the film’s central antagonist, with other cast members including Heath Ledger, Chris Cooper, and Joely Richardson.

In a recent interview with Collider, Isaacs reveals that he wasn’t the first choice to play Tavington in The Patriot, with Law instead favored for the role. Isaacs reveals that he was asked to submit a self-tape to audition for Tavington, but that his own agent informed him he was unlikely to get the job. As the actor explains, his own audition was the production’s way of pressuring Law into accepting his offer:

“By the way, The Patriot wasn’t my part. Many of the best parts I’ve ever played, I was not the first choice for it. It was on offer to Jude Law, and Jude hadn’t given them an answer yet.”

After the self-tape, Isaacs was asked to fly to L.A. to meet with the film’s creative team, but even this was “just to shake Jude’s tree.” Following a promising meeting with Emmerich and producer Dean Devlin, Isaacs was told again that he may not get the part, but then an offer came in, with Law withdrawing from consideration:

“Weeks went by because they had to both send the tape to Mel to get his approval and ask Jude if it was okay for him to withdraw, and God bless him, which I’ve thanked him for many times since, he did. That’s how I got the film part in The Patriot.”

What This Means For The Patriot

Tavington Remains One Of Isaacs’ Most Iconic Roles

Reviews for The Patriot were somewhat lukewarm from critics and the film saw mixed success at the box office, grossing $215 million worldwide against a budget of $110 million. Praise was directed at the movie’s violent battle sequences and some strong performances from the cast, with Isaacs’ performance emerging as a standout. The Patriot came several years before Isaacs’ debut as Lucius Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002), and it stands with movies like Armageddon (1998) and Black Hawk Down (2001) as a тιтle that helped introduce him to American audiences.

In the late ’90s, Law was in a similar place in his career. He had just played a prominent role in The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), but didn’t have the leading man star power that he has today. Law’s big break with American audiences wouldn’t come until 2001 with Enemy at the Gates. While it’s not clear how The Patriot would have been different had Law played Tavington instead of Isaacs, it is clear that Isaacs is thankful to have gotten the part.

Source: Collider