Jake Gyllenhaal Reflects on Auditions for “Moulin Rouge ”and“ Batman, ”Says It Was 'Pretty Cool' to See 'How Far' He Got

The actor revealed he was up against Heath Ledger for the lead in 'Moulin Rouge' before Ewan McGregor was cast

Jake Gyllenhaal almost headed to the “Moulin Rouge!”

The Road House actor sat down with Howard Stern for the host’s eponymous SiriusXM radio show and revealed what roles he almost played.

Gyllenhaal, 43, shared that he auditioned for Baz Luhrmann’s movie musical Moulin Rouge. While the role ultimately went to Ewan McGregor, Gyllenhaal said that the role of Christian was between himself, McGregor, 52, and the late Heath Ledger.

He admitted to Stern, 70, that the audition was the “first time” he had “heard” of his Brokeback Mountain costar.

Gyllenhaal explained that “at a certain point, [actors] get to a certain place,” where they are aware that other actors are auditioning and getting to the final stages, which includes the “screen test.”

Gyllenhaal confessed he was “disappointed" when he didn’t land the part, adding that he thinks Ledger shared the same sentiment.

Although he was disappointed, Luhrmann celebrated his talents with The Playlist in July 2022. He said Gyllenhaal was "very close" for the role, noting, “He’s a really great musical artist.”

Related: Iconic Roles That Were 'Almost' Played by Someone Else

“In the end, you have to, you learn to go, 'There's another one,' " said Gyllenhaal. "Like, I can try and go in and audition for another one. I'll get something else. I mean, that's the thing. You keep that attitude.”

Stern then interjected to reference another role Gyllenhaal didn’t land — Bruce Wayne, a.k.a. “Batman” in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy. “But I imagine that disappointment after putting on the Batman suit..."

Related: Jake Gyllenhaal Came Close to Playing Batman in Christopher Nolan's Trilogy, Screenwriter Reveals

The radio host continued, "Then who calls you to say ‘No, they gave it to Christian [Bale]' after all that prep and everything you put into it?”

Gyllenhaal confirmed that both directors of the two films, Luhrmann, 61, and Nolan, 53, called him directly to tell him he didn’t receive the parts. (The role of Bruce Wayne went to Bale in the end, who starred alongside Ledger’s Joker in the second film.)

“When you get that far, there's a real legitimacy to you potentially getting something,” Gyllenhaal began to explain to Stern. “It's not like they're going, ‘Oh, thanks so much.’ They're going, ‘I saw these aspects of you that I really wanted in the role and I think are wonderful. But in the end, I ended up moving this way because it matches…better with this person who's opposite you or would be opposite you.’ ”

Related: Kate Hudson Says She 'Totally Got It' When 'Moulin Rouge!' Role Went to Nicole Kidman Instead of Her

The Donnie Darko actor explained that there are "nonfactors" taken into consideration for the roles. He confirmed, though, that he tries not to “pick away” at those factors because “it’s not healthy.”

Instead, he said that he works to adjust his perspective and tell himself, “Look how far you got,” adding, “Okay, so the next time, let's try and keep going.”

Gyllenhaal then shared that rather than the disappointment, he aligned himself with the positive perspective, even noting that it was “pretty cool,” to receive “a call personally from Christopher Nolan.”

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