Jake Gyllenhaal Discusses His Failed 'Lord of the Rings' Audition

Jake Gyllenhaal gives an interview during the AOL Build speaker series on Tuesday (March 22) in New York City.

The 35-year-old Demolition actor was joined at the event by his co-stars Chris Cooper, Naomi Watts, and Judah Lewis, along with screenwriter Bryan Sipe.

Jake appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon the night before and revealed director Peter Jackson had a brutal reaction to his failed The Lord of the Rings audition. He says no one told him he needed to have an English accent for the role.

“He literally turned to me and said, ‘You are the worst actor that I have ever seen.’ He said, ‘Did anyone tell you you were supposed to have an accent?’ I was like, ‘No!’ And he said, ‘Well, fire your agents,’” Jake recalled.

FYI: Naomi is wearing Eva Fehren jewelry.