Josh Hartnett Turned Down Superman Twice and Left Hollywood Due to Stalkers: ‘A Guy Showed Up at One of My Premieres With a Gun’.
Josh Hartnett recently opened up to The Guardian about his decision to step back from Hollywood during the peak of his career. After starring in hits like “Pearl Harbor,” “Black Hawk Down,” and “40 Days and 40 Nights,” Hartnett took an 18-month hiatus. He left Los Angeles, moved back to Montana, and changed the direction of his acting career.
During this time, Hartnett also turned down the role of Superman twice.
“I didn’t want my life to be consumed by work,” Hartnett explained. “Back then, there was an expectation to give everything up for your career, but I saw how it ruined some people. I didn’t want that for myself.” However, there was a darker reason for his departure from Hollywood. Hartnett revealed he was targeted by stalkers, and the intense attention he received was unhealthy.
“There were incidents,” Hartnett said. “People showed up at my house. Stalkers. One guy came to a premiere with a gun, claiming to be my father. He ended up in prison. It was a weird time, and I didn’t want to be part of that chaos.”
Because of this, Hartnett shifted away from heartthrob roles and big studio films. When his team arranged a meeting with Christopher Nolan for a potential role as Batman, Hartnett pitched himself for a part in Nolan’s smaller film “The Prestige” instead. Christian Bale ultimately got both roles.
“I saw it as a missed opportunity to work with someone like Chris,” Hartnett admitted. “I’ve realized that while it’s important to pursue roles you’re interested in, what matters more is working with people you trust.”
Hartnett eventually got another chance to collaborate with Nolan, landing a role in “Oppenheimer.” This marked the beginning of his return to the Hollywood scene. He will soon star in M. Night Shyamalan’s thriller “Trap” for Universal Pictures.
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