In the world of cinema, a single role can alter the trajectory of an actor’s career. Such was the case for Taron Egerton, who was launched into superstardom with his portrayal of Gary “Eggsy” Unwin in the Kingsman series. Interestingly, the journey of finding the right “Eggsy” was not as straightforward as one might think.
Matthew Vaughn, the visionary director behind the Kingsman series, recently let slip a tantalizing tidbit during New York Comic-Con: Egerton wasn’t the only British talent in contention for the coveted role of Eggsy. The line-up also featured names like Daniel Kaluuya and John Boyega, both of whom have since become significant players in Hollywood.
The Kingsman saga began in 2014 with “Kingsman: The Secret Service”. The film adaptation of the comic book series by Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons not only exceeded expectations at the box office, raking in more than $400 million globally on a relatively modest budget, but also set the stage for future sequels. Egerton reprised his role in the sequel, “Kingsman: The Golden Circle”, further solidifying his status as a Hollywood staple. The Kingsman universe, flavored with a blend of classic British spy drama and dark British crime-comedy, has since amassed over $800 million in global box office returns. While Egerton chose not to participate in the prequel, “The Kings Man”, his cinematic journey took him to critically acclaimed films such as the biopic “Rocketman”, in which he portrayed the legendary Elton John, and the Apple TV+ miniseries “Black Bird”.
Rise of the Alternates: Kaluuya and Boyega
The industry is no stranger to the phrase “one’s loss is another’s gain”. But in the case of Kingsman, it seems that every contender found their distinct path to success. Daniel Kaluuya, once in consideration for Eggsy, embarked on a journey that would lead him to an Academy Award. His standout role in the groundbreaking horror film “Get Out” earned him an Oscar nomination, and he clinched the golden statue for his portrayal of Fred Hampton, the leader of the Black Panther Party, in “Judas and the Black Messiah”. He also graced the screen in the Marvel sensation, “Black Panther”, and joined forces with director Jordan Peele again in “Nope”.
John Boyega’s trajectory post-Kingsman consideration took him to a galaxy far, far away. As Finn in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens”, Boyega became a household name. He reprised this role in subsequent Star Wars sequels but wasn’t shy about expressing his reservations regarding his character’s arc. However, he continued to shine, with performances like the one in Netflix’s “They Cloned Tyrone”, proving that his talent reaches far beyond the realms of Star Wars.
In Retrospect: A Triumph for All
It’s a game of what-ifs when contemplating the Kingsman casting choices. But one thing remains clear: each of these talented actors, whether they donned the Kingsman suit or not, have made their indelible mark on the cinematic landscape. While we’ll never truly know how “Eggsy” would have been portrayed by Kaluuya or Boyega, fans worldwide can rejoice in the success and accomplishments of all three stars.
