Peter Jackson Listened to Mafia Bosses, Kept Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino Out of ‘Lord of the Rings’
Spoiler alert: Ashley Judd and Mira Sorvino are not in the Lord of the Rings films.
You can thank Harvey Weinstein for that.
Both Judd and Sorvino accused Weinstein of sexual harassment and claimed that the studio boss prevented them from landing roles in Lord of the Rings. Both things seemed pretty true based on everything we’ve read about Weinstein in the last month or so, but just in case you didn’t believe the two women, hopefully you’ll believe Peter Jackson.
The LOTR director told Stuff that he had interest in both ladies, but was told by Miramax, “They were a nightmare to work with and we should avoid them at all costs.”
Jackson went along with the studio’s request, but in retrospect, realizes it was likely “a smear campaign” against the two ladies. Yeah, because they both turned down sex with Weinstein and he made good on his promise of ruining their careers.
Jackson also called the Weinstein brothers “second-rate Mafia bullies,” which sounds like an unfair comment to me. Based on everything we’ve heard and read about them, they were definitely first-rate Mafia bullies.
Judd and Sorvino took to Twitter to confirm the story and thank Jackson for corroborating their stories.
I remember this well. https://t.co/wctEhESAS9
— ashley judd (@AshleyJudd) December 15, 2017
Peter & Fran had me in – showed me all the creative, the boards, costumes, everything. They asked which if the two roles I preferred, and then I abruptly never heard from hem again. I appreciate the truth coming out. Thank you, Peter. https://t.co/iXKuK6Xqtx
— ashley judd (@AshleyJudd) December 15, 2017
Thank you Annie for validating my memory of this, too. I remember being so excited for #LOTR https://t.co/syrJPlo5iy
— ashley judd (@AshleyJudd) December 15, 2017
Just seeing this after I awoke, I burst out crying. There it is, confirmation that Harvey Weinstein derailed my career, something I suspected but was unsure. Thank you Peter Jackson for being honest. I’m just heartsick https://t.co/ljK9NqICbm
— Mira Sorvino (@MiraSorvino) December 15, 2017
Would Lord of the Rings have been better with Judd and Sorvino? I don’t know. I’ve only seen the first one and that movie was boring as hell.
