Viggo Mortensen Reveals His Favorite Scene From THE LORD OF THE RINGS
Viggo Mortensen spent years riding into battle, facing down monsters, and delivering some of the most iconic moments in Middle-earth. But when asked to name his favorite scene from The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the actor’s answer is a little quiet moment that still hits hard decades later.
While celebrating the 25th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Mortensen shared with Empire that the scene that means the most to him is Boromir’s death.
It’s a choice that might surprise fans who immediately think of Helm’s Deep or Aragorn’s coronation in The Return of the King. For Mortensen, the power of the moment comes from its simplicity and emotional honesty. Mortensen said:
"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.”
What makes it stand out for him is how grounded it is compared to much of the trilogy’s epic spectacle.
"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."
The scene marks the end of Boromir, played by Sean Bean, who meets his fate while protecting Merry and Pippin from a brutal Uruk-hai attack. In his final moments, Boromir pledges loyalty to Aragorn as his king, a powerful reversal after the tension that defined their relationship earlier in the film.
The Extended Edition, in particular, lets that emotional weight linger, making it one of the trilogy’s most devastating and rewarding sequences.
The Lord of the Rings isn’t just about massive battles or legendary quests. At its core, it’s about flawed people, hard choices, and redemption. Mortensen’s pick highlights exactly why that scene has stayed with fans for so long.
Looking ahead, Middle-earth is set to return to theaters with The Hunt for Gollum, scheduled for release in 2027. The film will focus on Aragorn’s pursuit of Gollum, but Mortensen will not reprise the role, he will be replaced by a younger actor.
For now, fans can mark their calendars. The Hunt for Gollum arrives in theaters on December 17, 2027.