As the world prepares to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Peter Jackson’s cinematic masterpiece, the fellowship has reunited to share never-before-told stories from Middle-earth. In an exclusive interview for the upcoming milestone issue of Empire, Viggo Mortensen looked back at his time as Aragorn, the ranger-turned-king.
While the trilogy is famous for its groundbreaking CGI and massive scale, Mortensen’s personal highlight is a surprisingly grounded moment that prioritized human connection over Hollywood spectacle.
The Death of Boromir: A Masterclass in Human Connection
Mortensen identifies the tragic passing of Boromir as the most resonant sequence in the entire saga, largely because of its simplicity. “That scene, I have to say, no offence to anybody else or any other part of the trilogy, but that’s maybe my favourite scene,” Mortensen revealed. He noted that the power of the moment comes from its reliance on performance rather than technology: “It’s such a beautiful scene. And there are no effects, there are no imaginary monsters. It’s just two people.”
The actor’s fondness for the scene stems from the resolution of the friction between the two men of Gondor. Throughout “The Fellowship of the Ring,” Aragorn and Boromir represent two different visions for their kingdom, often leading to internal conflict. Mortensen explained that the beauty of the death scene lies in their final reconciliation: “They’ve been kinda butting heads until then. And then there’s just such a strong connection.”
Beyond the plot, Mortensen was moved by the cultural weight of the exchange as the two characters finally embrace their shared lineage. He described them as “two people who have a connection in terms of their ethnicity — you know, Gondor and all that,” marking the moment Boromir finally recognizes Aragorn as his King.
This highlight is just one of many deep dives featured in the latest Empire issue, which includes new interviews with Peter Jackson, Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood, and more. The full 25th-anniversary special hits newsstands this Thursday, 15 January, featuring a massive reunion of the original cast and crew to celebrate the films’ enduring legacy.