 The character of Hando was originally written for Australian actor  Ben Mendelsohn (qv). However, Mendelsohn did not look menacing  when his head was shaved, where as Russell Crowe had shaved his  head, gotten into character, and had been persistently contacting  Geoffrey Wright to reconsider his casting decision. When Wright  decided Mendelsohn didnt have the look, the role went to Crowe.