Second time lucky

Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn, “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy

Original Casting Choice: Stuart Townsend (“Queen of the Damned”) put in a few days of work as the Middle Earth warrior, but director Peter Jackson (oddly foreshadowing his “Lovely Bones” recasting) gave him the pink slip, believing him too young for the role.

Why the Switch Worked: Mortensen oozes masculine authority and nails the regality inherent in a hero fated to be king. Plus, Townsend’s delicate, pretty-boy features would’ve been just plain wrong for such a mighty figure.