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 firstMad Maxmoviein 1979, and he reprised his role as drifter Max Rockatansky forMad Max 2: The Road Warrior(1981) andMad Max Beyond Thunderdome(1985). After bidding farewell to this post-apocalyptic franchise, Gibson’s star power only grew with the release ofLethal Weaponin 1987, another movie that spawned a franchise.
After starring inGallipoliin 1981, Gibson made a splash in the historical epic genre in 1995, this time also taking on directing duties.Braveheartremains one ofGibson’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 Patriotstar Jason Isaacs reveals that Jude Law was initially offered the role of the film’s villain. Directed by Roland Emmerich,The Patriottakes 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 theHarry Potterfranchise, 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.
3 Of Mel Gibson’s Biggest Movies Share A Major Criticism
Mel Gibson has starred in or directed numerous historical epics, but Gibson’s period movies share a common criticism of not being very accurate.
In a recent interview withCollider, Isaacs reveals that he wasn’t the first choice to play Tavington inThe 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 acceptinghis offer:
“By the way,The Patriotwasn’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 inThe Patriot.”
What This Means For The Patriot
Tavington Remains One Of Isaacs' Most Iconic Roles
Reviews forThe Patriotwere 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 Patriotcame several years beforeIsaacs' debut as Lucius MalfoyinHarry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets(2002), andit stands with movies likeArmageddon(1998) andBlack Hawk Down(2001) as a title that helped introduce him to American audiences.
Isaacs is currently appearing as Timothy Ratfliffe as part of thecast ofThe White Lotusseason 3.
In the late ’90s, Law was in a similar place in his career. He had just played a prominent role inThe 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 withEnemy at the Gates. While it’s not clear howThe Patriotwould have been different had Law played Tavington instead of Isaacs, it is clear that Isaacs is thankful to have gotten the part.
