In 2002, James McAvoy was “gutted” to lose out on a star-making role. It was worth over $20million
James McAvoy narrowly missed out on playing Will Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean, a role that helped make Orlando Bloom a star. McAvoy said he was “gutted” at the time, but later felt content that his career had taken a different path.
McAvoy recalled reaching a camera test with Keira Knightley before losing the part to Bloom, who had already appeared in The Lord of the Rings. Bloom was reportedly paid about $8 million for the first Pirates film and $11 million for each of its two sequels. McAvoy later found success in projects including The Chronicles of Narnia, Atonement and X-Men: First Class.
In short
- McAvoy came close to playing Will Turner.
- Orlando Bloom won the role after The Lord of the Rings.
- Bloom reportedly earned $11 million for each sequel.
Explained simply
The Pirates of the Caribbean films are a series of adventure movies built around pirates, sea voyages and comic action. In the first film, Will Turner is a blacksmith who joins forces with pirate Jack Sparrow to rescue Elizabeth Swann.
Orlando Bloom played Will, after gaining attention in The Lord of the Rings films. James McAvoy later became known for roles in films including The Chronicles of Narnia, Atonement and X-Men: First Class.
The role mattered because the Pirates films became major commercial successes and raised the profile of their cast. Actors’ pay can also rise across a successful series, though reported figures do not show how much they ultimately earned after costs and other arrangements.