Mel Gibson’s impactful cinematic journey began with the 1979 release of George Miller’s Mad Max, where he debuted as the iconic Max Rockatansky. His portrayal resonated with audiences, leading him to reprise this role in subsequent sequels, Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior (1981) and Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome (1985). Gibson’s ascent in Hollywood accelerated as he starred in the blockbuster Lethal Weapon in 1987, propelling him into leading man stardom and spawning a franchise. Following his acclaimed performance in Gallipoli (1981), Gibson ventured back into the historical epic domain in 1995 with Braveheart, where he not only starred but also directed, embodying the role of Scottish hero William Wallace. His return to the genre in 2000 came with another monumental film centered on the American Revolution.
Jude Law Almost Starred in The Patriot
Jason Isaacs Shares How He Secured the Role of Tavington
In the 2000 war epic The Patriot, Jason Isaacs revealed in a recent Collider interview that the role of the film’s antagonist, Colonel William Tavington, was initially coveted by Jude Law. Directed by Roland Emmerich, the narrative follows Gibson’s character, Benjamin Martin, a serene farmer who rebels after a British officer kills his son. Isaacs, recognizable for his portrayal of Lucius Malfoy in the Harry Potter series, stepped into the villainous shoes of Tavington, joining a cast that featured Heath Ledger, Chris Cooper, and Joely Richardson.
Isaacs recounts how he came to audition for Tavington, despite Law being the preferred candidate. He submitted a self-tape, fueled by skepticism from his agent regarding his chances of landing the role. He stated:
“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.”
Following his audition, Isaacs was invited to Los Angeles to meet with Emmerich and producer Dean Devlin; however, he viewed this invitation as merely a formality to coax Law into making a decision. Despite being cautioned about the uncertainty of getting the role, Isaacs ultimately received the good news after Law stepped back 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.”
Implications for The Patriot
Tavington: An Iconic Role for Isaacs
Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, The Patriot grossed a noteworthy $215 million globally against a production budget of $110 million. The film’s action-packed battle scenes and standout performances, particularly from Isaacs, contributed to its recognition. Preceding his introduction as Lucius Malfoy in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Isaacs solidified his presence in American cinema through this film, which stands alongside notable titles like Armageddon (1998) and Black Hawk Down (2001).
During the late 1990s, Jude Law was also on the brink of a breakthrough. Although he successfully starred in The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), his current star power was yet to be realized, and his major breakthrough as a leading man would not come until Enemy at the Gates in 2001. While the impact and portrayal of Tavington might have been distinctly different had Law taken on the role, Isaacs expresses gratitude for the opportunity, appreciating how his journey led to this defining role.
Source: Collider