Freddie Mercury and Rod Stewart were considered for David Bowie’s role in Labyrinth

New book offers several other huge names as potential Jareth alternative

Freddie Mercury and Rod Stewart were considered for the role of Jareth the Goblin King in Labyrinth, which was eventually taken by David Bowie.

A new behind-the-scenes book marking the 30th anniversary of the classic 1986 film has revealed director Jim Henson’s original casting suggestions for the fright-haired goblin ruler.

It was known before that Henson had considered casting Michael Jackson, Prince, Sting and Mick Jagger were in contention to play Jareth before he eventually settled on Bowie.

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But new handwritten notes by Henson shown in Labyrinth: The Ultimate Visual History show that Queen singer Mercury, Stewart, Roger Daltrey, Ted Nugent and David Lee Roth were also among Muppets creator Henson’s original ideas.

Jareth became one of Bowie’s most memorable acting roles, with the singer also having appeared in The Man Who Fell To Earth and The Hunger, as well as cameos in The Last Temptation Of Christ and Zoolander. His final acting role was in stock market drama August in 2008 opposite Josh Hartnett and Naomie Harris.

The casting of Jareth was one of several which alternative actors were considered for. Before Jennifer Connolly was cast as teenage lead Sarah, Helena Bonham-Carter was considered according to Paula Block and Terry Erdmann’s book.

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