Jake Gyllenhaal has had many roles that are near and dear to our hearts–doomed, adorable Donnie Darko, to name one–and these days he can pretty much take his pick when it comes to scripts, but at one time, he recently revealed, a very successful director thought he was just the worst.

Gyllenhaal told Jimmy Fallon this week that he was stoked when his reps thought he’d be perfect for the role of Frodo in Lord Of The Rings , but when it came time to audition, he was confused by the script he was given because it contained a lot of stage direction but not much else.

“Literally, Peter Jackson was like (facepalm), ‘You are the worst actor that I have ever seen. Did anyone tell you you’re supposed to have an accent?’” Jake said.

Say it ain’t so! Obviously, the criticism didn’t keep Jake from following his dream, and the role of Frodo went to Elijah Wood, so everything worked out for everyone in the end.

Jake, who’s one of Hollywood’s most eligible bachelors, spoke last year about love and why he’s had so many relationships that come to an end, saying he’s been in love twice but he ended up getting scared. Gyllenhaal says that he does want to get married someday, and that his sister Maggie’s marriage to Peter Sarsgaard is a “standard” for him when it comes to relationship goals. The couple have been married nearly seven years and have two daughters.

“I think it’s hard for everybody, man. But I also think at some point, you just decide to grow up, you know? There are a lot of beautiful women, and there are opportunities. But at the same time, if you find the right person … I believe in monogamy. I believe in when you meet somebody who’s right, it will be right, and you’ll stay there,” Jake Gyllenhaal said.