Loved the project so much that he met with three different directors attached at various times to discuss starring in the film.

Turned down the role of "Lord Darlington" opposite Scarlett Johansson to take another film role.

Joseph Fiennes was director Roman Polanski's first choice, but turned down to honor his theater commitments the role for which Adrien Brody won an Oscar.

Director Phil Kaufman offered Fiennes the attention-getting role of the Abbe du Coulmier.

Was offered the lead role of the professor in director Francis Ford Coppola's pre-WW II drama.