The Original Aragorn Would Have Completely Changed The Lord Of The Rings

The Lord of the Rings is by far one of the biggest achievements in film history. Peter Jackson's adaptation of the three books written by J.R.R. Tolkien have won a ton of awards and was highly regarded by critics. Though the Lord of the Rings trilogy was in trouble from the beginning. Viggo Mortensen was not the original actor cast to play the once and future king of Gondor. But luckily when he was eventually brought in, it was proven that the Lord of the Rings would not have been the same movie without him.

#TheLordOfTheRings #Aragorn #Nerdstalgic

Written by Dave Baker
Edited by Dan Smiley

[Jonathan-gltf]

Quick fact: Vigo was not willing to accept the role due to the time he would be away from his family, but his son who was a teen fan of LOTR said something like "will you deny me the opportunity for my father to be Aragorn?" and the rest is history

[shidanslair]

Viggo's Aragorn is so good that every time I watch the movie, I don't see Viggo at all, I see Aragorn.

[fuaddanial]

I think Viggo brought a humility in Aragorn that you rarely see most actors pull off. Russell Crowe or Nicolas Cage would've been too big of a name to give Aragorn that same humbleness Viggo did. And it allowed Aragorn to be less of a main character and gives other characters more weight when they interact with him, and it is when these character interacts that you truly see how heroic Aragorn is. His kindness given to a dying Boromir who just betrayed the Fellowship and gentleness in putting off Eowyn advances towards him is what sets him apart as a character in the film.

[coolcatb]

Some castings are iconic. Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn is one of them. I cannot imagine anyone else in that role. Even better: Viggo is a leader in real life as well. Everybody loved him on set, he's professionnal and well liked by the directors and all crew, he's funny, he's great with horses, his son is super smart (thanks Henry!). It's like Illuvatar himself willed for Viggo to be Aragorn.

[ejsampana]

Russel Crowe as Aragorn would vacuum all the attention to his character, making the other events mere side-quests. Viggo Mortensen's portrayal blended perfectly to the whole story.

[iammaxhailme]

Viggo as Aragorn is one of the best casting in book-to-film adaptation history, possibly only matched by Christopher Lee as Saruman or Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid.

[daniho]

Mortensen was the absolute perfect actor. He truly made the audience feel like he doesn't play Aragorn, but he IS Aragorn. The depth with which he portrayed this (without doubt) very hard role to play near-impromptu is awe-inspiring.

[FZMello]

"No-ego Viggo" was the absolute hammer-smash of success. Relatively unknown enough to aid in the suspension of disbelief, yet professional enough to throw himself into the character so totally, it's impossible to imagine another actor as Aragorn. He, Christopher Lee, Sir Ian McKellan, and Brad Dourif (Wormtongue) gave performances that gave me chills the first time I drug my family to the theater for Fellowship. I had long given up on ever seeing my favorite story on screen. My kids wondered why I was so emotional. Now, they understand.

[hawkshot]

Ironically I think the fact Viggo wasn't in the character yet in the inn made the scene better... Like you can feel the uncertainty and hesitance in the character almost immediately.

[OhShunz]

The last chapter of Return Of The King, Aragorn, “My friends, you bow to no one”…. Could have never come from anyone but Viggo Mortensen. Greatest movies ever

[MrAwesomePoopz]

It's also important to note that Vigo had great chemistry with the cast. He really knows how to portray Aragorn like he is the brother at arms with Gandalf and Legolas.

[wandamundy]

The whole world owes Henry Mortensen a HUGE "Thank you !!" - for having convinced his dad to take on the role of Aragorn with such short notice - on a chance - as it were. That role was made for him - and he for it. He was brilliant as Strider/Aragorn/King Elessar . . . I had been reading those books since I was 19 - 56 yrs ago -. . . in fact, I still have the original set of three books in their sleeve with the map of Middle Earth on it, The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, Leaf by Niggle and Farmer Giles of Ham - all bought that same year. They've traveled across the country with me twice (to Toronto and back) - and for two years up North, as well.

Viggo was only 10 yrs old when I bought those books (during my 2nd year at University). Did he even know he was going to be an actor, then ?!? And how could he ever have known that he would forever be identified with one of THE most beloved characters in story-telling, movie history ?!? He was equally brilliant in all his other movies since . . . but LOTR was absolutely magical - and so much of the magic came to life because of him.

[davidian]

Viggo has a natural grace and poise. He is full of valour and charisma. That other guy looked a bit snide and lacking substance. So glad Viggo got the part.

[VeryEvilGM]

Viggo broke his bones for this role, while the other didn't wanna fight, ride, let alone rehearse!

[VernardMercader]

Viggo Mortensen is the Chad of Chads. He did his own stunts, he bought the horse who was cast as "Brego" (Aragorn's horse) because he liked the horse so much (and I bet the horse liked Arago---I mean Viggo, too), and when he got his tooth chipped after getting hit by a stuntman's steel sword, he just said, "don't worry about me, let's keep filming" (but Pete didn't want his main man on film with a chipped tooth and called in a Orthodonthist right away). Speaking of chipped teeth, majority of his wounds and scars in the Movie? They're not make up... They're actual wounds from working his own fighting stunts and acts.

[TraitorFelon..]

Viggo told us in an interview that he hadn’t even read the books, and it was his son who exitedly told him to accept the role.

[rickysanchez]

Viggo Mortensen as Aragon is possibly the most seamless fit ever in cinema history. The circumstances, the background for the character and the actor. Everything came together

[junkdnareviews]

What an actor. It was fate. You really feel his care for Frodo. He made you feel safe.

[Mustang-wtse]

In hindsight it worked out of course but it’s funny to think if Viggo nailed the part so well because he was actually discovering what it meant to be Aragorn as he became part of the crew

[trex]

Viggo is a man of substance. The movie would have been severely lacking without him.