26 Years Ago, Ben Stiller Rejected This Future Star for a Cult Classic 2000s Comedy Role

The early 2000s were a golden age for comedy, with 2001 being a particularly rich year for the genre, featuring releases like “Bridget Jones’s Diary,” “Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back,” “Legally Blonde,” “Shrek,” and many others.

That year also saw the release of another film that quickly became a cult classic. A hilarious satire of the fashion world, filled with iconic poses, international intrigue, and even a cameo by a future U.S. President, this was none other than the brilliant “Zoolander.”

The film stars Ben Stiller (who also directed, produced, and co-wrote it) as Derek Zoolander, a good-looking but dim-witted male model. This legend of the catwalk gets wrapped up in a conspiracy orchestrated by the manic fashion designer Jacobim Mugatu, played by Will Ferrell, to assassinate the Malaysian Prime Minister in one of the most innovative comedies of its time.

Jake Gyllenhaal as Hansel?

Alongside Stiller and Ferrell, the film also stars Owen Wilson as Hansel McDonald, Derek’s main rival. Throughout the movie, the two engage in a thrilling fashion duel, overseen by none other than David Bowie, debate their respective styles, and eventually team up to thwart the sinister plot. Stiller and Wilson create an irresistible duo, but the role could have been played by another actor with a famous sister.

“We originally wrote Hansel for Owen Wilson,” Stiller told Vanity Fair (via Far Out Magazine). “But at one point, it was uncertain whether he would take the role. I don’t know if he wanted to or was available. I vividly remember the auditions for Hansel. The one that stood out was Jake Gyllenhaal: he came in with a fully formed character. But in the end, Owen landed the role.”

Playing a slightly dim-witted model whose only goal is to prevent a DJ from playing Frankie Goes to Hollywood isn’t exactly in Gyllenhaal’s typical range, but in 2001, he was almost unknown. He had certainly made an impression as a child star and had played the lead in the biopic “October Sky” as a teenager, but he hadn’t yet found his path—or his voice. It’s entirely possible that he could have portrayed Hansel, which undoubtedly would have changed the game for his career.

When Owen Wilson Takes the Stage: The Start of a Cult Duo

That said, it’s hard to imagine anyone other than Owen Wilson in that role, not only for his comedic talent but also for his excellent chemistry with his on-screen friend-enemy Ben Stiller. The two actors indeed formed an unforgettable comedy duo, appearing side by side in movies like “Night at the Museum,” “The Royal Tenenbaums,” and “Starsky & Hutch.”

In a rare example of success, the exceptional comic duo of Stiller and Wilson marked the beginning of a fruitful comedic collaboration, and Jake Gyllenhaal landed another leading role in a film titled “Donnie Darko.” The rest, as they say, is history.

“Zoolander” is available to watch on Paramount+ as well as on VOD.

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