Viggo Mortensen Reveals His Most Memorable Lord of the Rings Scene

Viggo Mortensen, the actor behind Aragorn, has offered a rather unexpected answer when asked about his standout moment from the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Rather than opting for one of the grand, effects-laden sequences, Mortensen points to a scene that is striking for its simplicity and emotional weight.

Marking the 25th anniversary of The Fellowship of the Ring, Mortensen reflected on the trilogy and singled out Boromir’s death as the moment that resonates most with him. The scene, featuring Sean Bean’s Boromir, is often remembered for its rawness and the absence of any digital wizardry or fantastical creatures.

Mortensen’s Unexpected Favourite

“That scene, I have to say, no offence to anybody else or any other part of the trilogy, but that’s maybe my favorite scene. It’s such a beautiful scene,” Mortensen explained.

“And there are no effects, there are no imaginary monsters. It’s just two people who have a connection in terms of their ethnicity -- you know, Gondor and all that -- but they’ve been at odds. They’ve been kinda butting heads until then. And then there’s just such a strong connection.”

For Mortensen, the power of the moment lies in its honesty. The two characters, previously at loggerheads, find common ground in Boromir’s final moments. The emotional charge is heightened in the Extended Edition, where Boromir, mortally wounded while defending Merry and Pippin from a brutal Uruk-hai attack, pledges his loyalty to Aragorn as his king. The tension and history between them dissolve, replaced by a sense of mutual respect and understanding.

Why This Scene Stands Out

Unlike the sweeping battles or the grand coronation, this particular exchange is stripped of spectacle. There are no elaborate set pieces or digital monsters lurking in the background. Instead, the focus is squarely on the human drama unfolding between two men from Gondor, whose relationship has been anything but straightforward.

Mortensen’s appreciation for the scene is rooted in its authenticity. The lack of visual effects allows the performances to take centre stage, making the moment all the more poignant. It’s a reminder that, even in a world filled with magic and myth, the most lasting impressions can come from the simplest of interactions.

Looking Ahead to Middle-earth’s Future

With anticipation building for the return to Middle-earth in The Hunt for Gollum, set for release in December 2027, fans are left wondering whether Mortensen might reprise his role. The new film is expected to focus on Aragorn’s pursuit of Gollum, though there’s been no confirmation of Mortensen’s involvement just yet.

The actor has previously expressed a willingness to return, provided the role suits his current age and circumstances. As he told GQ UK in 2024,

“I like playing that character. I learned a lot playing the character. I enjoyed it a lot. I would only do it if I was right for it in terms of, you know, the age I am now and so forth. I would only do it if I was right for the character. It would be silly to do it otherwise.”

For those eager to revisit Middle-earth, the next chapter is just around the corner, with The Hunt for Gollum arriving in cinemas on 17 December 2027. In the meantime, audiences can look forward to more updates on The Rings of Power’s third series and keep an eye on the ever-expanding world of Tolkien adaptations.