Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
Viggo Mortensen is widely recognized for his epic portrayal of Aragorn inThe Lord of the Rings. Many of the scenes in the franchise were taken outdoors, boasting the beauty of nature in their set location in New Zealand.
At the time, CGI was only for scenes that truly needed its aid, and the majority were filmed with practical effects and actual locations.
Frodo Baggins Stunt Double Warned Viggo Mortensen About Their Boat Flipping Over
In an interview shared onYouTube, actorViggo Mortensenrecalled one instance while filmingThe Lord of the Ringswith stunt double Kiran Shah. They were rowing a boat in this scene.
Boats, as beautiful as they are, were pretty tippy. They were kind of flimsy in a way, and because of the scale issue, it was… Kiran Shah, you know, who was Frodo. And I remember that when we did the wide shot, we were really moving down that river.
Movies nowadays pretty much rely on computer-aided technology and special effects, rather than risk the lives of their cast members going into a real river. But, Mortensen and Shah braved the current and sailed away. He remembered the funny incident where his companion was trying to tell him something.
We were doing the first take, and Kiran’s going, “Viggo, don’t worry about me,” and I’m like, “What do you mean?” I’m trying to talk without moving my lips, and he goes, “If we flip over…” I said, “We’re not gonna flip over,” and he goes, “If we flip over, just save yourself. I can’t swim.” I said, “What?!” I couldn’t believe. I couldn’t believe it.
The actor could not help but laugh over his funny story. His impression of Shah was on point, but he admitted feeling anxious at the time. “I got really nervous, you know, like if someone’s watching you’re driving, you start over— and I was like, every eddy now became fraught with possibility,” he stated.
“What the hell is this movie even going to be about?”: Andy Serkis’ New Gollum Movie Leaves All Lord of the Rings Fans Confused
After the take, he asked Shah if he was bluffing. “I said, ‘You’re kidding, right?’ He goes, ‘No, I’m even afraid to take a bath.’ I’m like, ‘Jesus.’” Good thing Mortensen is a good swimmer, so he surely prepared himself upon discovering his companion couldn’t swim to save his life.
Viggo Mortensen Endured Injuries On The Set OfThe Lord of the Rings
While Viggo Mortensen survived the boat rowing scene, the actor got injured several times while shootingThe Lord of the Rings.
In an interview withChristian Answers, directorPeter Jacksonrevealed that “one of the Orc swords whacked [Viggo] in the face. Hit him in the mouth. And his front tooth snapped off at the root.”
“This will be the thing that I’ll be remembered for”: Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings Trilogy Made the Director Nostalgic About 1 Arc of His Career That Hadn’t Happened Yet
There was also another instance when Mortensen kicked an Orc’s helmet and ended up breaking a bone. It was said that his scream impressed the director so he decided to keep it in the final cut.
The Lord of the Ringstrilogy is available on Prime Video.
Ariane Cruz
Senior Writer
Articles Published :3532
Ariane Cruz is a Senior Writer at FandomWire, majorly focusing on TV shows with over 3,000 articles published. Her love for pop culture and the creative arts fuels her passion to deliver engaging and informative stories. Her daily consumption of films, shows, and books keeps her energized for the day, along with her mission to serve as the bridge between fans and their favorite franchises.
More from Ariane Cruz
Fallout Season 2 Release Date Confirmed: 5 Post-Apocalyptic Shows to Watch While You Wait For Peak Cinema
‘Jurassic World Rebirth’ Box Office: Scarlett Johansson Fails to Beat Chris Pratt in 1 Key Area
Game of Thrones: Every Main Villain From Each Season Ranked From Least to Most Impactful
Recommended
New ‘Harry Potter’ BTS Image Reveals Nick Frost’s Shockingly Perfect Look as Hagrid
Upload Season 4: How Many Episodes Will the Final Season Have?
Japan’s 10 Most-Watched Anime of 2025: Naruto Not Even in Top 5
18 Years Later, 47%-rated Mark Wahlberg Action Blockbuster Is Still Conquering Streaming
Ne Zha Ending Explained: How The Major Deaths Set Up Ne Zha 2?
When Is Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black: Season 2 Releasing?
AragornPeter JacksonThe Lord of the RingsViggo Mortensen
