Gavin & Stacey's James Corden says he failed audition for major role that could have changed his career path

Gavin & Stacey’s James Corden has opened up about his failed Lord of the Rings audition. The 44-year-old, who is set to leave his Late Late Show role in America next year, was in consideration for the role of Samwise ‘Sam’ Gamjee when Peter Jackson made the films in the early noughties.

Speaking to actor Josh Horowitz on his Happy Sad Confused podcast, James opened up about how the role was one of his first auditions as an actor. "Not good," James replied to Josh when asked how it went, before going into more detail. "Every single person in London auditioned for Lord of The Rings, everybody, and I auditioned for Samwise. I was doing the accent and everything... Mr. Frodo!

"Two of my other friends went in. And then we all got called back the next day, and then we got called back the next day, and then none of us got called back after that.” The role, itself, eventually went to Sean Astin.

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The Mirror reports how James "very much enjoyed" the three films despite not being cast as Frodo's sidekick. Following its release, the Lord of the Rings franchise became one of the most successful in the world and grossed £2billion at the box office.

Sean Astin as Samwise (left) and Elijah Wood as Frodo in Peter Jackson's The Lord of The Rings: The Two Towers (Pierre Vinet/New Line Cinema)

While his role as a Hobbit was not meant to be, James has secured other film roles over the years. He has featured the likes of Gulliver's Travels, Peter Rabbit and Trolls as well as movie adaptations of musicals Cats and Cinderella. And, of course, he famously co-wrote and starred in Gavin & Stacey.

Earlier this year, James confirmed that he'd be stepping down from hosting The Late Late Show in America. He is said to have extended his contract with CBS to present the show for one more year before finishing in the summer of 2023. You can get more TV news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.

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