Séries Mag : "It's been reported that you've auditionned for The Lord Of The Rings. Is it true or not ?"

Ian Somerhalder : "That's very true ! Few people know that, but I auditionned for the role of Legolas. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. Orlando Bloom was stronger than me on this ! [laughs] When Dominic [Monaghan] tells me about the wonderful experience he's got on the set, I regret that I didn't get the role. But in this job, we can't win the first prize all the time..."

http://www.warofthering.net/ahobbitstale/movies/movies_rushes.htm