Don't regret turning down 'Lord of the Rings': Nicolas Cage

Los Angeles: Hollywood star Nicolas Cage says he does not regret saying no to the role of Aragorn in "Lord of the Rings" and Neo in "The Matrix".

The 51-year-old "Leaving Las Vegas" actor admits that the characters would have contributed a lot in shaping up his career, reported Entertainment Weekly.

"There were different things going on in my life at the time that precluded me from being able to travel and be away from home for three years.

"I don't really have any regrets. I think regret is a waste of time. I try to always move forward as opposed to dwelling on the past or the movies that might have happened," he said, when asked about turning down the "Lord of the Rings" offer.

The Oscar-winning actor, has a positive point of view over his decision to turn down the role and enjoys watching these films.

"But the thing is about those movies, I can watch them. I can enjoy them as an audience member. I don't really watch my own movies. And so I genuinely do have the joy of watching these - especially with 'Lord of the Rings'."