Jacob Elordi stepped in after Saltburn maker wanted huge Hollywood star for role

04 January 2024 , 21:20

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It's claimed Emerald Fennell originally wanted Timothée Chalamet in the movie (Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)

Saltburn could have been completely different if it wasn't for Jacob Elordi.

The film has set social media alight in recent weeks after it became available on Amazon Prime, with the now infamous bathtub scene leaving fans perplexed. Elsewhere, Irish actor Barry Keoghan has found a new fanbase after his character, Oliver, was seen dancing through the hallway of the grand house, completely naked to Sophie Ellis Bextor's Murder On The Dance Floor.

The film focuses on Oxford University scholarship holder Oliver (Keoghan) and his best friend Felix. Throughout the movie, Oliver struggles to fit in with his wealthy peers before becoming infatuated with Felix. But lead actor Jacob Elordi has revealed that Barry, 31, was never supposed to be in the movie until he was suggested to creator Emerald Fennell. In a new interview, Elordi, 26, has shared an insight.

Jacob Elordi has shared an insight into how Saltburn could have turned out (Youtube/MGMStudios)

It's claimed that Emerald, who previously played Camilla Parker-Bowles in The Crown had hoped for French-American star Timothée Chalamet to take on the role. However, much to the delight of fans, her mind was soon changed after Barry's name was mentioned.

Barry stated that he was drawn to Saltburn after finding out that Jacob had been cast as his co-star. "It was Emerald, then, she said she wanted Timothée Chalamet for it," Jacob said in a chat with Barry Vogue, about why he signed up for the role. He continued: "I said 'Have you thought about Barry Keoghan?' You and Em for sure were a big part of it and then the script is just, you know."

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Although millions have seen the movie, Jacob stated that he was afraid to see the response but was admittedly proud of his achievement with the film. Elsewhere, Barry has revealed that the scene which sees him have sex with Felix's grave was completely unscripted.

(MGM)

Emerald revealed that she had to clear the set in order to allow Barry to "let his body lead the way". The dad-of-one revealed: "On paper, he wasn’t written to do that. But I wanted to see what actually happened, and where I would take it. I wanted to be confused and let my body lead the way. What am I doing? How can I get closer?"

Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, Fennell said: "I spoke to Barry in the morning. And I just said, 'I don't know, Barry. I think that he would... Unzip' and Barry just said 'Yup'." Barry continued: "She plants seeds, Emerald, you know what I mean? She knows that they're going to grow, these seeds, especially when she plants them with me. But it is a testament to Emerald having that idea and me meeting it with... To be honest, no questions. I was totally on board for it."

Daniel Bird