# The 2006 movie Josh Hartnett never made that became the “biggest regret” of his career

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/the-2006-movie-josh-hartnett-never-made-that-became-the-biggest-regret-of-his-career/
- Published: 2026-11-10T20:15:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-10T21:37:49+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/2006-movie-josh-hartnett-never-made-became-biggest-regret/
- Topics: Entertainment, Film

## Key points

- Hartnett left Brokeback Mountain due to a scheduling conflict.
- A contract tied him to The Black Dahlia.
- Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal later starred in the film.

## Summary

Josh Hartnett says he had to leave Ang Lee’s Brokeback Mountain because a contract required him to film Brian De Palma’s The Black Dahlia. The missed role has remained a major regret for him, as the romance became a landmark film and a significant moment for LGBTQ representation in mainstream American cinema.

Hartnett was initially set to play opposite Joaquin Phoenix, before Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal took the lead roles as two ranch hands whose relationship unfolds over two decades. Both actors earned Oscar nominations. The article contrasts Brokeback Mountain’s cultural impact with The Black Dahlia, which it describes as a disappointing project.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.