Lord Of The Rings: 10 Things You Didn't Know About Orcs
2. Gothmog Was Based On Harvey Weinstein
Peter Jackson had originally been in talks with Miramax to produce the Lord of the Rings. His contractural obligations to the company meant he was forced to deal with Harvey Weinstein, leaving the film almost in ruins...
Weinstein was incredibly controlling. He insisted Jackson could tell the story in one movie, threatening to take Jackson's script and give it to another director if he refused. He wanted to Americanise the project, urging Jackson to cast Daniel Day Lewis as Aragorn, and Morgan Freeman as Gandalf. He vetoed many of Jackson's original suggestions, forbidding him to cast Ashley Judd or Mira Sorvino; both of whom had been harassed by Weinstein in the years prier. After a bitter back and forth, Jackson was able to broker a deal with New Line Cinema.
Luckily, the higher ups at New Line were willing to give the movies the treatment they deserved. But the bullying tactics of Weinstein did not go unforgotten. Jackson designed the character of Gothmog as his f*ck you, for all the sh*t Weinstein had put him through.
And, we have to say, we approve.