Back in Hollywood, writer/director Brian Helgeland ("L.A. Confidential") was planning a new film called "The Sin Eater" (also known as "The Order"). He was impressed by Bettany's audition tape, though Helgeland eventually decided to film "A Knight's Tale" instead. The studio executives were not impressed, but Helgeland was determined to cast him, even writing the part of Chaucer for him. "A Knight's Tale" would be Bettany's first big Hollywood production. He received critical acclaim for "A Knight's Tale", including winning the London Film Critics Circle Award for Best British Supporting Actor. After the movie wrapped, Helgeland, determined that Hollywood should recognize Bettany's talent, showed the audition tape to many of his peers, including Ron Howard, who promptly cast Bettany in "A Beautiful Mind". After "A Beautiful Mind", Bettany was offered the role of serial killer Francis Dolarhyde in "Red Dragon", opposite Edward Norton and Anthony Hopkins. He turned down the role in favour of accepting a part with Stellan Skarsgård and Nicole Kidman in Lars von Trier's "Dogville".