Unlike other franchises, the ‘Lord of the Rings’ franchise took us into uncharted territory. Here, the common man lived alongside the likes of elves, hobbits, dwarves and even orcs. And across the franchise’s three films, we were made to think that the future of humanity depended on a hobbit’s determination to destroy an evil ring.
Just like all good stories, the storyline behind the ‘Lord of the Rings’ films stems from a novel written by the great English scholar J.R.R. Tolkien. In Tolkien’s creation, men resided on Middle Earth, along with other more powerful beings. And when its story was brought to the big screen, the films earned critical praise and awards.
Today, it remains one of the most celebrated film franchises in entertainment history. And as it continues to mesmerize us, we thought it might be fun to reveal some of its behind-the-scenes secrets:
15 John Madden Was Chosen As An Alternate Director In Case Peter Jackson Couldn't Stay On Budget
With the rising cost of production on the films, Harvey Weinstein put down an ultimatum and revealed some alternative plans. While speaking with Variety, Jackson recalled, “We had to either agree to do it or walk away. He already had John Madden lined up to direct, and Hossein Amini to write the script.”
14 Jake Gyllenhaal Read For Frodo And Had One Of The Worst Auditions
At a roundtable, Gyllenhaal recalled, “I remember auditioning for 'The Lord of the Rings' and going in and not being told that I needed a British accent. I really do remember Peter Jackson saying to me, 'You know that you have to do this in a British accent?’ We heard back it was literally one of the worst auditions.”
13 Christopher Lee Sent Peter Jackson A Photo Of Himself As A Wizard To Help Him Land The Role
Lee told Cinefantastique, “I sent him a picture of myself all made-up in the wizard’s role, but it was more in the nature of a joke, really. 'This is what I look like as a wizard, don’t forget this when you cast the movie.'” The late actor learned that Jackson wanted him to play Saruman all along.
12 Initially, Ian McKellen Couldn’t Be In The Lord Of The Rings Because Of A Scheduling Conflict With X-Men
Fortunately, New Line’s Bob Shaye ran into McKellen at a restaurant. Shaye recalled, “I decided to go back and ask, ‘Just for the record, what is the scheduling conflict?’ He said, 'Well, you’re starting ’Lord of the Rings’ three days before I finish ’X-Men.’ We did fix it of course, and that’s how he got in the movie.”
11 Stuart Townsend Initially Had The Role Of Aragorn, But Was Replaced A Day Before Filming Started For Someone Older
Townsend told Entertainment Weekly, “I was there rehearsing and training for two months, then was fired the day before filming began.” He added, “I have no good feelings for those people in charge, I really don't. The director wanted me and then apparently thought better of it because he really wanted someone 20 years older than me and completely different.”
10 Viggo Mortensen Became An Excellent Swordsman After Filming The Franchise
The late veteran stunt double Bob Anderson once referred to Mortensen as “the best swordsman I've ever trained.” Anderson had also worked with a lot of the other ‘Lord of the Rings’ actors on the set. Over the years, he’s also trained the likes of Sean Connery and Antonio Banderas, according to The Guardian.
9 Viggo Mortensen Hoped To See The Character Ghân-buri-Ghân In The Films
When interviewed by co-star Billy Boyd, Mortensen revealed, “I’d like to have seen what Peter Jackson would have done with the character Ghân-buri-Ghân, the chief of the Drúedain, wild men of the Drúadan Forest. Seeing him lead King Théoden and his army of Rohirrim through the forest to join the fight to save Minas Tirith would have been thrilling.”
8 Sean Bean Didn’t Like Flying, So He Trekked To The Set In Full Gear
Bean told UGO, “In The Lord of the Rings, we had to go up in helicopters and I had to walk the whole way, really [laughs]. I was two hours behind everybody else on top of this mountain because I just didn't want to get in any helicopters. I was terrified of them.”
7 Sean Astin Was Gifted Samwise’s Sword When Filming Wrapped
Astin, who played Frodo’s best friend, revealed, “I remember being presented with my costume, including Sam’s backpack (pots, pans, sausages, elven rope, lembas bread, box of salt) and sword. But the most moving trophy was the wee dress [my daughter] Ali wore as she portrayed Eleanor in the last moments of ROTK.”
6 Ian McKellen Took Home Several Items From The Set, Including Gandalf’s Staff
The veteran actor revealed to co-star Elijah Wood, “I keep Glamdring in my hatstand and the pointy hat in the basement, often worn by visiting youngsters. Gandalf’s staff is behind the bar in my Thames-side pub The Grapes, in East London. Don’t tell Peter, but the keys to Bag End are hanging up at home.”
