Over the years, a lot of celebrities have said that they turned down major film roles that would have drastically transformed their careers.

Few will come close to Russell Crowe, who said he turned down compensation worth just under $100 million to act in one of the most lucrative film roles ever.

Several cinema actors have rejected life-changing jobs throughout the years, such as Will Smith turning down the main part in The Matrix and Michelle Pfeiffer turning down the opportunity to play in Silence of the Lambs.

Crowe’s may have been the most memorable part, as he claimed he was offered a role in Lord of the Rings.

Crowe was questioned on The Howard Stern Show about why he turned down the job for which he was paid a large amount of money.

This large number was due to the fact that he was promised 10% of whatever the film grossed in addition to the flat price he would have been paid to star, which would have amounted to almost $100 million when all was included.

Crowe would have made $300 million for his role in one of the best trilogies ever if this arrangement had applied to all three films.

Crowe spoke about the chance, stating that he believed Peter Jackson did not want him to feature in the film, although the New Zealand actor had been given the role of Aragorn.

Crowe stated, “I didn’t think Peter Jackson [director of the film] really wanted me on the project. I believe he felt obliged to communicate to me since there was a time when everyone wanted me in everything.

“He’s a fellow New Zealander, so I recognize his voice. I’m on the phone with him, and I’m thinking, ‘I don’t think he understands what I’ve done’.”

The Gladiator star went on to say, “I just knew my instinct was that he had someone else in mind, which turned out to be Viggo [Mortensen].”

“[Peter Jackson] should be allowed to hire who he wants.”

When asked about the money he may have received for the film by Stern, he claims he has ‘never thought about it’ outside of interviews when ‘people are courteous and kind enough to add sh*t up for me.’

Crowe would go on to elaborate on turning down Lord of the Rings in an interview with British GQ, saying, “We come from the same place… there’s a nuance in that conversation that other people might not hear —we’re both New Zealanders — in his own way, without saying anything negative, that he had another plan.”

“So I just left it at that.”

In the same interview with Howard Stern, the actor is asked about turning down the part of Wolverine, which was given to Hugh Jackman when another actor, Dougray Scott, was forced to withdraw due to reshoots for Mission: Impossible 2.

Crowe is once again modest, claiming that there is ‘no way’ he could have ‘carried it through’ in the same manner that Jackman did, owing to the several sequels the character required.

With the actor having never featured in a sequel, it is maybe best for everyone concerned that he declined both parts, allowing him to continue his renowned career.