Russel Crowe explains why he turned down the role of Aragorn

Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe says he met with director Peter Jackson to discuss playing the role of Aragorn in the "Lord of the Rings" triology, but that the conversation ended the actor's desire to act in the films.

When asked if he had any regrets about "Lord of the Rings," Crowe told British GQ, "Not really."

'THE STUDIO MADE THAT DECISION, NOT THE DIRECTOR'

Crowe continued:

"I felt that the studio made that decision, not the director. I spoke to Peter Jackson on the phone and he wasn't saying the kind of things that directors say to you if they're really trying to get you to do a project. I got the feeling that he already had someone else in mind that he wanted to give the role to, and for me to come forward and say yes was actually going to get in his way. We come from the same place. So there's a nuance in that conversation that other people can't hear - we're both from New Zealand - in his own way, he didn't say anything negative, he had another plan. So I left it there."

Jackson cast Viggo Mortensen in the iconic role. The director is now returning to Middle-earth as producer of a new "Lord of the Rings" movie, which will be directed by Andy Serkis, who plays Gollum and will return to the role of Gollum.