Matthew Vaughn’s ‘Kingsman’ Almost Cast Daniel Kaluuya in the Lead Role
In the world of cinema, fate often takes surprising turns, and the story of how Taron Egerton became the face of the Kingsman franchise is no exception. The role of Gary “Eggsy” Unwin wasn’t initially penned with him in mind. The brilliant director Matthew Vaughn recently spilled the beans at the New York Comic-Con, sharing that not one, but two other remarkable British talents, Daniel Kaluuya and John Boyega, were contenders for the iconic role.
Back in 2014, ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’ hit the silver screen, based on the comic book series by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons. This cinematic gem struck gold at the box office, amassing over $400 million worldwide, all while working its magic with a budget of less than $100 million. It was a spy movie extravaganza, merging classic British espionage with the edgy crime-comedy style that was sweeping the U.K. at the time. And that was just the beginning.
The success of the first film paved the way for ‘Kingsman: The Golden Circle,’ where Egerton reprised his role as Eggsy, and the franchise’s total worldwide earnings surpassed $800 million. Following that, there was ‘The King’s Man,’ a prequel to the original tales. In this particular installment, Egerton took a step back, allowing the spotlight to shift. Yet, he didn’t sit idly. Taron Egerton made his mark in movies like ‘Eddie the Eagle,’ wowed audiences with his portrayal of Elton John in ‘Rocketman,’ and more recently, took the small screen by storm with the Apple TV+ miniseries ‘Black Bird.’
Now, let’s talk about the “what-ifs.” What if Daniel Kaluuya had donned the suit and become Eggsy? Well, it’s fair to say that both Daniel Kaluuya and John Boyega have paved their own path to stardom.
Kaluuya, in particular, has seen his star rise in spectacular fashion. While he may have missed out on the Kingsman gig, he more than made up for it. His performance in ‘Get Out’ won critical acclaim and earned him his first Academy Award nomination. He went on to clinch an Oscar for his role as Fred Hampton in ‘Judas and the Black Messiah.’ Kaluuya also took a turn in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, making waves in ‘Black Panther,’ and lately, he’s been thrilling audiences in Jordan Peele’s ‘Nope.’ So, in the end, he’s done pretty well for himself.
On the other hand, John Boyega soared into the galaxy far, far away, playing Finn in ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens.’ He reprised the role in two more sequels, ‘The Last Jedi’ and ‘The Rise of Skywalker,’ though he didn’t shy away from voicing his concerns about how the character was handled. More recently, Boyega showed off his acting chops in the Netflix film ‘They Cloned Tyrone.’ It’s not every day you see actors who were shortlisted for a major Hollywood role go on to fulfill their potential in such a resounding manner.
In the grand tapestry of Hollywood, these “what-ifs” are fascinating, but in the end, it’s a win-win situation. Taron Egerton became an icon in his own right, Daniel Kaluuya and John Boyega carved out impressive careers, and all three are now stars in their own galaxies of talent. The world of cinema always keeps us guessing, and that’s part of what makes it so captivating.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Hollywood Success
Q: Who were the other actors considered for the lead role in ‘Kingsman’ besides Taron Egerton?
A: Director Matthew Vaughn considered Daniel Kaluuya and John Boyega for the role of Gary “Eggsy” Unwin before casting Taron Egerton.
Q: How successful was the ‘Kingsman’ franchise at the box office?
A: ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service’ grossed over $400 million worldwide with a budget of under $100 million, and the franchise as a whole earned over $800 million globally.
Q: What other projects did Taron Egerton, Daniel Kaluuya, and John Boyega pursue after their ‘Kingsman’ journey?
A: Taron Egerton ventured into films like ‘Eddie the Eagle’ and ‘Rocketman,’ as well as the miniseries ‘Black Bird.’ Daniel Kaluuya gained acclaim with ‘Get Out’ and won an Oscar for ‘Judas and the Black Messiah.’ John Boyega appeared in ‘Star Wars’ sequels and ‘They Cloned Tyrone.’
Q: How have these actors’ careers evolved since the ‘Kingsman’ audition?
A: While they may not have taken the ‘Kingsman’ roles, both Daniel Kaluuya and John Boyega have blossomed into successful actors, achieving recognition for their exceptional talents.
Q: What made the ‘Kingsman’ franchise stand out in the world of cinema?
A: The ‘Kingsman’ franchise combined classic British spy movie elements with edgy crime-comedy, resulting in a unique and successful genre mashup.
More about Hollywood Success
- Kingsman: The Secret Service: Information about the first film in the Kingsman franchise.
- Daniel Kaluuya: Learn more about Daniel Kaluuya’s career and achievements.
- John Boyega: Explore John Boyega’s filmography and accomplishments in the film industry.
- Taron Egerton: Find out about Taron Egerton’s roles and projects post-‘Kingsman.’
- Matthew Vaughn: Information about the director of the Kingsman films.
- Judas and the Black Messiah: Details about the film that earned Daniel Kaluuya an Oscar.
- Get Out: Information on the acclaimed film that showcased Daniel Kaluuya’s talent.
- Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Learn about John Boyega’s role in the ‘Star Wars’ franchise.
- Kingsman: The Golden Circle: Details about the sequel to ‘Kingsman: The Secret Service.’
- Rocketman: Information on Taron Egerton’s portrayal of Elton John.
- Nope: Learn more about the film ‘Nope,’ in which Daniel Kaluuya stars.
