Did you know this The White Lotus Season 3 actor was about to reject the role? 

Scott Glenn, who played the enigmatic Jim Hollinger in The White Lotus Season 3, originally declined the role. Glenn's reluctance was due to his recent experience on Eugene the Marine, a martial arts-heavy film about the pitfalls of aging. His White Lotus character, described as an "old guy with a cane," did not initially interest him.

But upon viewing the show and being drawn into it, Glenn changed his mind and took the role. He then prepared himself by learning about Thailand and even taking up Krabi-Krabong, a Thai martial art, to learn the rhythm of the country. This shift from first hesitation to ultimate commitment is proof of Glenn's commitment to his work and to getting involved in great storytelling.

Glenn has a career spanning decades, with some of his most memorable roles in Apocalypse Now and The Silence of the Lambs. His experience in playing varied roles has probably affected his way of choosing projects. The rejection at first implies that Glenn is particular about the characters he plays so as not to repeat himself and venture into new stories.

---

The initial hesitation

Glenn's first refusal to take on The White Lotus Season 3 role came after his recent encounter with Eugene the Marine. This movie involved a lot of martial arts and dealt with issues of ageism. Glenn believed that the character listing for Jim Hollinger was too close to characters he had done before. He was not keen on playing yet another old character who used a cane.

This reluctance demonstrates the actor's desire to shun typecasting and try out varying roles. Typecasting might encroach on the career of an actor by sticking him in repeating character types, and Glenn's choice demonstrates his attempt to leave such shackles behind.

In addition, Glenn's reluctance could also have stemmed from his estimation of the depth of the character. If the character appeared to be too simplistic or not as deep, this may have caused him to originally turn down the part. Performers tend to prefer roles with depth and substance, enabling them to develop both professionally and artistically.

---

The change of heart

Although Glenn originally hesitated, he did have a change of heart when he watched The White Lotus. He and his wife, Carol, saw the show and were hooked by it in the first fifteen minutes. Glenn was sure of the quality of the show and that he wanted to be a part of it.

This prompted him to call Mike White, the creator of the show, the next day to show his interest in taking on the role. Glenn's move reflects the relevance of the show's engaging plot and his appreciation of White's craft. The fact that the show was able to engage Glenn so soon testifies to its compelling storytelling and well-crafted characters.

The White Lotus Season 3 is renowned for its complex examination of human relationships and societal dynamics, which probably appealed to Glenn. His turnaround illustrates how a well-written story can entice talent and motivate actors to be part of a project.

---

Preparation for The White Lotus Season 3 role

After Glenn was cast, he immersed himself in learning the cultural background of the show's location in Thailand. Taking a cue from Marlon Brando's advice, Glenn felt that there was a different rhythm to each country and each language. To bring this rhythm across, he started learning Krabi-Krabong, a sword-based martial art from Thailand.

Even though his character does not practice martial arts, Glenn believed studying the art form would assist him in relating to the spirit of Thailand. This dedication to learning the cultural aspects shows Glenn's commitment to his work.

Glenn's method of getting ready for the role indicates how crucial cultural immersion is to an actor. He learned Krabi-Krabong to absorb the cultural rhythms and motions that would better make his character real. Such systematic preparation is characteristic of actors who wish for authenticity and complexity in their roles.

---

In short, Scott Glenn originally turned down the Jim Hollinger role in The White Lotus Season 3 because of typecasting fears, following his last job on an ageism-and-martial-arts film. After viewing the show and becoming enamored with its caliber, though, he changed his mind and took the role.