The Lord of the Rings is one of the biggest film franchises ever, not only in terms of its success, but also in terms of its scope. It was necessary to bring J.R.R. Tolkien’s incredible world to life. Even 25 years after the first film in the franchise was released, Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings still has people talking.

Every frame of the trilogy is its own work of art, but Viggo Mortensen has no question what his favorite scene in the film is. In a recent conversation with Empire, Mortenson and Sean Bean discussed the death of Boromir. One of the most memorable scenes in the entire trilogy. Mortensen explained that the character’s death was actually looking to be quite complex until Sean Bean made it simple. He explained:

I’ll admit it’s been a while since I’ve watched The Lord of the Rings, but I’ve always loved that scene too. Earlier in the film, it looks like Boromir could even become a villain, but in the end, he does exactly what his job in the fellowship is. He protects the One Ring.

That said, I certainly didn’t recall that you never actually see an arrow fly into Boromir when he’s killed. And yet, looking back at the scene, that’s exactly what you get. However, due to a solid performance by Bean and well-edited shots, you can still feel those hits.

For an actor who is known for dying in movies, Boromir is perhaps Sean Bean’s greatest death scene. Bean called it his favorite on-screen death. Not just for the fantastic way that Bean performs the killing shots, but for the scene after, where Aragorn and Boromir share a moment as he dies. Viggo Mortensen says it's his favorite part of the entire trilogy...

Boromir has had a lasting impact on The Lord of the Rings films, which is striking considering how little he’s actually in them. It’s probably because of this scene that the character still means so much in the films.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the release of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, the first entry in one of the most ambitious film undertakings ever attempted. To celebrate the anniversary, all three of the iconic films are being re-released in theaters this month, and Peter Jackson is coming along for the ride. He's also sharing behind-the-scenes stories, including one about how Viggo Mortensen getting into a surfboard accident impacted his movies.

When The Lord of the Rings movies hit screens again this weekend, they’ll be accompanied by new introductions by director Peter Jackson. EW has a look at one of them, which includes the director talking about the production, which was more like one massive film than it was three separate projects. He said…

Needless to say, a project that extensive was bound to have some problems, and one of them was a surfboard that injured Viggo Mortensen, and required some quick thinking on the director’s part to work around it. Jackson says the team was working on a key Fellowship scene. Unfortunately, one of the principal players in the scene had sustained an injury during a break in filming. Jackson explained…

The Lord of the Rings saw its share of injuries. This isn't even the only significant injury to Viggo Mortensen. It's frequently reported that the actor broke two toes kicking a helmet in one scene as well. However, getting whacked in the face by a surfboard is a bit harder to cover up.

If it were a minor thing, it likely could have been covered by makeup. Unfortunately, as Jackson tells it, the injury was quite severe. If it had been a smaller production, rescheduling the scene might have been possible, but on something like The Lord of the Rings, that simply wasn’t an option, leading Jackson to only have one choice. He said…

Peter Jackson says the shots in question came during the Mines of Moria sequence, when the Cave Troll joins the fight. Give the scene a look below and see if you can spot an injured Viggo Mortensen.

With two new Lord of the Rings movies on the way, hopefully, all involved will stay injury-free. Although whether or not Viggo Mortensen will be in them remains to be seen.

Now, to go back and see the original trilogy, you can catch it in theaters this weekend, or you can stream it with an HBO Max subscription.

Spoilers for Season 2 of Rings of Power are ahead! If you aren’t caught up, you can stream the series as well as the OG Lord of the Rings trilogy with an Amazon Prime subscription.

In the Season 2 finale of Rings of Power, there were a few obvious connections made between the prequel series and the beloved Lord of the Rings. Namely, The Stranger was revealed to be Gandalf and Míriel gave Elendil the sword Narsil that will eventually be reforged into Andúril and given to Aragorn. So, with all those things in mind, I chatted with the ROP cast about the references, and while speaking with Cynthia Addai-Robinson about her character's big moment with the iconic sowrd, she told me why it was so significant for both LOTR fans as well as casual viewers.

Telling me that she enjoyed the fact that someone referred to the moment as a “lore drop,” Addai-Robinson started by explaining that her “inner child” came out when she saw it:

If you grew up watching the Lord of the Rings movies props like the One Ring, Gandalf’s staff and Andúril (among other things) are big deals, and seeing them in person must be mind-blowing.

As a viewer, it’s also thrilling to see references and implementation of beloved characters and props in a show like Rings of Power. So, you better believe that as someone who recently re-watched Return of the King, I squealed when I saw Narsil being given to Elendil in the finale, because I was thinking about the following words Aragorn said to Elrond as he was given the sword:

Even the framing of Elrond and Míriel giving the swords to Aragorn and Elendil, respectively, is similar. The close-ups of them holding the weapons up to their faces, their reactions, it's all incredible.

However, if I hadn’t rewatched the LOTR movies recently, I don’t know if I would have clocked the reference. To that point, the Míriel actress told me that they were crafting this scene with fans who might not know the lore in mind too. She explained:

So, the magnitude was evident no matter how much you know about what's to come. Elendil and Míriel's interaction is deeply impactful because these two love each other so much and are saying goodbye as they go on to fight two incredibly massive wars to stand up for what’s right. The fact that the sword ties into what's to come in a major way is just the cherry on top.

Whether you are a massive fan of the books, movies and show or you're only into the Amazon series, no matter what, as Addai-Robinson pointed out, this passing of the sword carries major significance.

Moving forward, Míriel, Elendil and that sword will likely make a massive impact on Rings of Power Season 3 as she stays in Númenor to stand her ground against Pharazôn and he sets out to find his sons. You better believe that my little Lord of the Rings-loving self can’t wait to see it all unfold and eventually (hopefully) lead into the epic battle that ends with Elendil’s son using Narsil to cut the One Ring off Sauron.

There are new Lord of the Rings movies on the way from producer Peter Jackson and so, as one might expect, fans have many questions. One of the big ones is whether the Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum cast will include any members of the original trilogy cast. Viggo Mortensen says it’s far too early for him to say he might return as Aragorn, but he says two things could compel him to return: a great script or a desperate need for a job.

The Lord of the Rings cast is being very honest when asked this question. Ian McKellen's answer to playing Gandalf again amounted to "If I'm not dead". When THR asked the question of Viggo Mortensen, he said he had no idea if he would or could return, as he had seen no script. Certainly, if the role is a good one, the actor will be interested, but he also admitted that if the script wasn’t good, he might still return, if he happened to need the money. Mortensen said…

For the record, Viggo Mortensen said that he hasn’t been in a state where he needed to take a job for the money for several years, so it’s less likely that particular state of affairs will occur, but certainly, it’s not impossible.

At this point it’s very early in production for Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, the title itself is only a working title and may change before things are said and done. We assume the movie will be set between the events of the Hobbit trilogy and the Lord of the Rings, but even that is only speculation. Whether we’ll see any characters we know from previous films, beyond Andy Serkis, who will also direct the movie, returning as Gollum, is anybody’s guess.

Still, it wouldn’t be a shock if there were plans to bring familiar characters, from some of the best fantasy movies ever into the new entry. Jackson found a way to shoehorn Orlando Bloom’s Legolas into the Hobbit movies, so it would surprise nobody if the new movie found ways to do something similar with Viggo Mortensen’s Aragorn or any number of characters from The Hobbit trilogy as well.

Of course, it’s also been decades since the Lord of the Rings movies. Which means that any actors in the roles are significantly older than they once were, while they would need to play versions of their characters that are younger. Makeup, or even CGI, can certainly be used to make that work, the question is how convincing any of it would be.

Certainly, if the movie finds a way to include characters we love in the story that doesn’t feel like it’s retconning entire trilogies, fans will likely be on board. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens.

It’s an exciting time to be a Lord of the Rings fan! Between The Rings Of Power Season 2 taking us back to Middle-earth this summer and Peter Jackson and Andy Serkis making a LOTR movie from the fantasy world, there’s a lot to look forward to. Considering how classic the original trilogy has become, you can’t blame fans for wanting to see actors like Viggo Mortensen back in their beloved roles.

While we don’t know if Mortensen will return as Aragorn in future movies, he did recently wield the power of his character’s sword, Andúril, for his new movie, The Dead Don’t Hurt. It’s a sweet Lord of the Rings connection as fans hope for more of the great warrior.

The Story Behind Viggo Mortensen Bringing Andúril Back In Latest Movie 

After production wrapped on his final Lord of the Rings movie, Return of the King, Viggo Mortensen kept Andúril for safekeeping. When he starred and directed his latest movie, a Western called The Dead Don’t Hurt, he ended up reaching for the sword to complete a fantasy sequence within it. As he said:

While speaking to GQ, Mortensen also spoke to the process behind him being allowed to bring Andúril in front of the camera for the first time in over 20 years. As the actor continued:

Hey, when one already has the Flame of the West in one’s possession, how can you not use it? The Dead Don’t Hurt, which is now playing in theaters, was also written and produced by Mortensen. Oh, and he composed the score! It was made independently, premiered at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival, and acquired by Shout! Studios earlier this year.

Mortensen's Latest Thoughts On Playing Aragorn Again

Over the years, Viggo Mortensen has certainly made a ton of movies that have proven he’s more than Aragorn, but that hasn’t stopped fans from wanting to see him take up the role again. Plus, Mortensen had a reputation of being endearing on multiple occasions on the Lord of the Rings films' sets and sharing his honest thoughts on the trilogy.

When the actor was asked about whether he’d be up for reprising his role for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, which will be directed by Andy Serkis and produced by Peter Jackson, here’s what he shared:

His answer shows a real reverence for his character. It sounds like he would be open to it, but wouldn’t take the opportunity lightly. Now to see what the rest of the Lord of the Rings cast feels about returning to Middle-Earth!

A lot of great speeches come from sports movies, but that's not the only genre that can make us want to run through walls. Some speeches are so good it has us rooting for the bad guys. Most are by the good guys though, and we'll follow those good guys anywhere. Here is our list of the most inspiring speeches in film history. 

Independence Day - President Witmore

President Thomas J. Whitmore's (Bill Pullman) speech in Independence Day has become one of the most iconic film moments of the last 50 years. While the movie can be polarizing, some people can't get enough of it, others hope to never see it again. Still, it's hard to find anyone who truly hates the speech and that moment in the film. If you ever find yourself fighting against annihilation by a bunch of E.T.s, this is the speech for you. 

The Hunt For Red October - Captain Ramius

If you thought you could never get fired up about the Soviet Union picking a fight on the United States during the Cold War, check it out. When Captain Marko Ramius (Sean Connery) tells his crew that the salad days of the Cold War are not behind them, and the United States will "tremble again - at the sound of our silence," it makes you want to stand up and fight for communism. At least for a brief moment. 

Any Given Sunday (Coach D'Amato)

It's used at almost every professional football game in America, almost every Sunday, because in Any Given Sunday, Coach D'Amato implores his team and the rest of us to claw for every inch we can. It might not be Pacino's most award-winning role, but that scene... that scene is some of his finest and most enduring work. 

Gladiator (Maximus)

"My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius." If those words don't immediately fire you up, it's time to check for a pulse. Audiences spend most of Gladiator waiting for Maximus (Russell Crowe) to finally get his revenge on that conniving Commodus (Joaquin Phoenix) and finally we get it. Maximus will have his vengeance, in this life or the next.

Friday Night Lights (Coach Gaines)

In Friday Night Lights, Coach Gaines (Billy Bob Thornton) tells us how to be perfect. It has nothing to do with the final score, or winning. It's about how we treat each other and ourselves. It's about telling the truth and not letting anyone down. Live in the moment, "with joy in your heart." That's what makes us perfect. The swelling music by Explosions in the Sky only adds to the drama of the moment. 

While he doesn't say "Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose," (that comes from the TV show), he does mention his clear eyes and his full heart and afterward, none of us lose. 

Henry V (Henry V)

It's not just one of the most inspiring speeches in film history, it's one of the most famous speeches in human history. When William Shakespeare wrote the words to the famous St. Crispin's Day Speech in Henry V, he could not have known that it would be used for centuries afterward to inspire men. For we few, we lucky few, we can watch the speech brilliantly delivered by Kenneth Branagh in one of his finest roles, in his film version from 1989. 

Animal House (Bluto)

"Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?" Of course it wasn't! Bluto (John Belushi) does a lot to inspire the brothers of the Delta house in Animal House but nothing more so than his speech after "Wormer dropped the big one" and suspended the fraternity. Instead of wallowing in self-pity, the men of Delta are inspired to have the best time of their lives, and Wormer? He's a dead man! Marmalard? Dead! Niedermeyer...

Gone With The Wind (Scarlett O'Hara)

Scarlett O'Hara (Vivien Leigh) is not the most sympathetic movie character of all time. In fact, she ranks close to the bottom in that category, but you can't deny the power of her speech just before the end of the first part of the movie. Her family's plantation, Tara, is in shambles, her mother is dead, and her father has lost his mind. When all hope is lost, she promises herself she will fix it, and she will "never be hungry again."

Barbie (Gloria)

It's truly a show-stopping moment in Barbie when Gloria (America Ferrera) lays out what it's like to be a woman in today's world. The entire essence of the movie's message is summed up in that brilliant speech. It makes everyone want to jump up on their feet and applaud. It's a moment that will forever live in cinema history. 

Good Will Hunting (Sean Maguire)

It's not just the words that matter. It takes a special actor to deliver a speech like Sean Maguire's in Good Will Hunting. Thankfully there was the great Robin Williams. In a speech that is meant to devastate and inspire Will (Matt Damon), Williams tells him everything he is doing wrong but manages to show him how he can fix it, and open up an entirely new world for himself. It's cutting and loving. And brilliant. "Your move, chief."

Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King (Aragorn)

Like so many other battle scenes in movies, Aragorn's (Viggo Mortensen) speech at the Black Gates in Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King has us willing to fight to the death with our fellow soldiers. There is nothing like a leader riding back and forth on horse inspiring his troops. 

Braveheart (William Wallace)

Always remember, that no matter how badly you are treated by a tyrannical English king, he can never take your freedom! William Wallace (Mel Gibson) brilliantly reminds us of that in Braveheart. While it's easy to mock the poor history telling in the movie (and we argue if it was really one of the best movies of 1995), you can never say that the speech Wallace gives before the biggest battle in the movie won't have you ready to take on the entire British Empire. 

Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End (Elizabeth)

Speeches made by leaders to inspire men in battle aren't unique in movies. What makes the speech unique in Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End is that the speech is made by a woman. Elizabeth's (Keira Knightly) speech isn't a lot different than a lot of its ilk, but it's more inspiring to hear it from a woman because we've never heard that before. So hoist the colors! 

Stripes (John Winger)

John Winger (Bill Murray) is the biggest misfit in a platoon filled with them in Stripes. He's the least likely to inspire the rest with a razzle-dazzle speech firing them up, yet that's exactly what he does before their graduation from boot camp. Bill Murray has some of the best lines in movie history, and this speech is near the top of them. 

Miracle (Herb Brooks)

"Great moments are born from great opportunity." That is something we can all stand to remember. In Miracle, Herb Brooks inspires his rag-tag team of college kids to defeat maybe the greatest hockey team ever assembled in the Soviet National Team at the 1980 Winter Olympics. The movie is based on a true story and while it's impossible to know exactly with the real Brooks said, if it was anywhere close to what Russell delivers, it's no surprise we all believe in miracles today. 

Rocky IV (Rocky Balboa)

The Cold War inspired a lot of movies, even sports movies like Rocky IV. Early in the Rocky series, Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone) wasn't a man of many words, but at the end of Rocky IV, he finds some of the most inspiring words of the whole series, imploring all of us to get along, despite our differences. 

Swingers (Trent)

What's a good friend if not someone to pep you up when you're feeling low? That's exactly who Trent (Vince Vaughn) is to Mike (Jon Favreau) in Swingers. Not only does he take him to Vegas for a night of fun, on the way home, after the trip doesn't pep Mike up as much as it should, Trent explains exactly why Mike is so money, and he doesn't even know it. 

Network (Howard Beale)

It's scary just how much a movie like Network, released almost 50 years ago is still so relevant. We don't need Howard Beale (Peter Finch) to tell us just how bad things are, we just need to him to inspire us to go to the window, open the window and yell to the world that we're not going to take it anymore! 

The Goonies (Mikey)

"The Goonies never say die!" When all seems lost in the Goonies quest to rescue their neighborhood from developers, Mikey (Sean Astin) reminds them all exactly how far they've come in the quest for One-Eyed Willie's gold. We don't get a lot of inspirational speeches from kids, but when we do, we love them. 

Clueless (Cher)

When Cher (Alicia Silverstone) compares her garden party to a refugee crisis, your inclination is to think she's an airhead. But like so many before and after her, there is kind of a subtle brilliance to her thought process. She takes what she knows and uses that to find the emotion we should all feel for her side of the argument. 

Milk (Harvey Milk)

Milk, based on the true story of Harvey Milk (Sean Penn), is inspiring in and of itself, but Milk's speech on the steps of San Fransisco City Hall at the Gay Pride Rally is a masterpiece. 

Troy (Achilles)

In another classic example of a military leader inspiring his troops, Achilles' (Brad Pitt) speech reminding his men that they are lions, is enough to get anyone to storm the beaches of Troy. There's a reason the story has been told for thousands of years. 

Norma Rae (Norma Rae)

The best thing about Norma Rae's (Sally Field, in one of her best roles) speech in Norma Rae is that the most important word isn't spoken at all. She simply holds up a sign that says "Union" in the middle of her sweatshop. That's all she needs to "say" to get everyone in the textile mill to agree. It's brilliant. 

We Are Marshall (Jack Lengyel)

We Are Marshall tells the tragic and heroic story of the 1971 Marshall University football team. At the end of the 1970 season, a plane carrying most of the team and its coaches crashed in North Carolina. Before the start of the next season, the new coach, Jack Lengyel (Matthew McConaughey) makes a speech at a memorial for some of the lost players and what he says about never forgetting the past but looking to the future will bring a tear to anyone's eyes.

Legally Blonde (Elle Woods)

More than 20 years after the first Legally Blonde movie was released Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) continues to inspire us. With an address like the one she makes at the end of the movie, as she's graduating, it's easy to see why. "You must always have faith in people. And most importantly, you must always have faith in yourself."

Avengers: Endgame (Captain America)

In a room full of superheroes, leave it to Captain America to make the hype speech. In Avengers: Endgame, that's exactly when Cap (Chris Evans) psyches the cadre up for their mission to reverse the Snap. "Whatever it takes."

Hoosiers (Norman Dale)

When tiny Hickman High School makes it to the Indiana State Basketball Finals, they are facing a huge school, in a huge arena. Coach Norman Dale (Gene Hackman) takes only a minute or so to lay out what will make them successful, and a minute is all he needs. It's why Hoosiers one of the best sports movies ever made. 

Rudy (Rudy)

The speech in Rudy is a little different. Rudy really has no audience, save for one person, but that doesn't stop him from delivering a first-rate speech that any Notre Dame alum gets goosebumps when they hear it, including the parts he lifted from the great Knute Rockne.

Juno (Mac MacGuff)

When Juno MacGuff (Elliot Page) is wondering what her future holds, her father Mac MacGuff (J.K. Simmons) explains simply and succinctly, "The best thing you can do is find a person who loves you for exactly what you are." We couldn't have said it better ourselves. 

Stand And Deliver (Jaime Escalante) 

Jaime Escalante (Edward James Olmos) is a no-nonsense math teacher who is determined to get the most from his students. He decides he needs to raise the level of expectations inside and outside of the classroom and he starts by breaking down when he is going to be so hard on his students, to get the most out of them. All they need is ganas – motivation. 

Rocky Balboa (Rocky)

Leave it to Rocky to make a speech in 2006's Rocky Balboa meant to inspire his son to inspire all of us together. It's pure Rocky, leave it all out, don't accept things you don't like, and never make excuses, no matter how hard it is. And it seems like this was advice he took to heart when it became a struggle to make the film. 

300 (Dilios)

Dilios (David Wenham) fires up the Spartans like no other person could. It's truly one of the great hype speeches in film history. It's exactly what you would expect from a civilization of warriors. Whether it really happened or not is irrelevant. The message is the same, "Remember us."

From sports to war, love to education, and beyond, a great speech raises goosebumps like nothing else in film can. These examples are some of the best speeches we've used to inspire us. 

It is not unusual for an actor just starting out in the business to film scenes for a movie that, ultimately, never see the light of the day. In fact, it's not out of the ordinary for that same thing to happen to an established A-lister either. See for yourself by taking a look at some of the biggest stars you did not realize were almost in some of your favorite film, if not for the magic of editing.

Ana De Armas (Yesterday)

Yesterday is a universe-altering movie that takes place in a reality in which the Beatles never existed. Coincidentally, there exists an alternate cut of the film featuring Ana de Armas as a Late Late Show guest Himesh Patel’s Jack Malik romantically sings “Something” to. Per writer, Richard Curtis explained that the character was cut to avoid making Jack’s relationship with Ellie (Lily James) any more complicated. Though De Armas did appear in the trailer, and fans pursued legal action against Universal over the marketing.

Kevin Costner (The Big Chill) 

In one of the best movies of the ‘80s, The Big Chill, a group of friends reunite for the funeral of their friend, Alex, who was supposed to be played by the future Oscar-winning star and director of Dances with Wolves (pictured), Kevin Costner. Star Jeff Goldblum told Yahoo! that the Yellowstone cast member was “wonderful” in a flashback scene that was ultimately cut from the 1983 ensemble dramedy, in which his character finds himself reluctant to carve a Thanksgiving turkey and ruin its perfection.

Christopher Lee (The Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King)

One of the most important characters from the Lord of the Rings movies, Saruman, is not in the third installment, The Return of the King. Per Ain’t It Cool News, Peter Jackson felt his scene — which was originally shot for The Two Towers — served as more of a wrap-up to the previous film than a suitable beginning for this one. While appearing at University College Dublin, Saruman actor Christopher Lee shared how shocked he was to learn his scene from the Best Picture Oscar winner — in which he stands off against the Fellowship — was cut before recommending the crowd “buy the extended DVDs.”

Harrison Ford (E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial)

Steven Spielberg told EW that, as a favor to him and writer Melissa Mathison (also his then-girlfriend), Harrison Ford shot a scene for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial as Elliot’s (Henry Thomas) school principal that can be found on YouTube today. It never made the final cut of the 1982 box office smash, but know that had it been included, the star of the Indiana Jones movies (pictured) still would have gone mostly unseen as the camera never shows his face.

Andy García (Dangerous Minds)

Andy García told BlogTalkRadio (via Express) that when he was approached to star in 1995’s Dangerous Minds as a love interest for Michelle Pfeiffer’s inner city teacher, Louanne Johnson, he openly expressed that he found the role unnecessary. Still, the star of Father of the Bride (pictured) shot the scenes that were written for him (but not included in the initial script). But they were indeed removed from the final cut.

James Gandolfini (Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close)

The late James Gandolfini shot scenes for 2011’s Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close as a man Sandra Bullock’s widowed character meets at a 9/11 victims support group meeting. The Sopranos cast member (pictured) was even credited on the Oscar-nominated drama’s poster. According to the LA Times — his role was removed following a poor test audience reception.

Eric Stoltz (Back to the Future)

One of the most infamous examples of an actor cut from a movie — save one frame — is Eric Stoltz, who led the Back to the Future cast for about a month before director Robert Zemeckis and others realized his “intense” approach to the role was not working. As Collider recalls, Zemeckis got approval to reshoot most of the movie and replace Stoltz with their initial choice, Michael J. Fox, whose performance in the time travel movie classic as Marty McFly is iconic.

Ashley Judd (Natural Born Killers)

In a sequence cut from Natural Born Killers (which can be found on YouTube), Ashley Judd plays Grace Mulberry — the sole survivor of Mickey (Woody Harrelson) and Mallory Knox’s (Juliette Lewis) mass teenager murder. She appears in court to be personally cross-examined by Mickey, who then stabs her to death with a pencil on the stand. In an interview for Metrograph, director Oliver Stone recalls removing it for its “length, and violence,” but now believes the “touching” scene belongs in the controversial 1994 satire.

Tobey Maguire (Life Of Pi)

In 2012’s adaptation of the novel, Life of Pi, the title character (portrayed as an older man by Irrfan Khan) recalls his unbelievable story of survival to a writer, played by English actor, Rafe Spall. However, according to USA Today, the role was originally played by Tobey Maguire until director Ang Lee decided the sSpider-Man star (pictured) was too distractingly recognizable and opted for reshoots. 

Chris Cooper (The Ring)

Anyone who ever wondered who Naomi Watts’ Rachel passes the curse tape along to at the end of The Ring should know it was Chris Cooper. The Oscar-winning star of Adaptation. (pictured) told Sci-Fi Wire (via MovieHole) that he shot bookend scenes for the 2002 horror movie classic. One establishes his character as a serial killer and the other shows him receiving the tape. Both were cut for disrupting the flow.

Shailene Woodley (The Amazing Spider-Man 2)

The Amazing Spider-Man franchise was meant to introduce of Shailene Woodley as Mary-Jane Watson to Andrew Garfield’s Peter Parker. Per MovieWeb, the Divergent star did shoot a cameo for TASM 2, which was later cut so she could officially debut in the next film — a plan ruined when the franchise was cancelled completely.

Robert Pattinson (Vanity Fair)

Before Reese Witherspoon and Robert Pattinson played lovers in Water for Elephants, they played mother and son in the 2004 period drama, Vanity Fair. But the then-teenage actor — who went on to hit it big in Twilight (pictured) — was cut from the move, which he discovered while attending the premiere, according to his 2017 W Magazine interview.

Skeet Ulrich (Cursed)

The 2005 werewolf movie, Cursed, marked a reunion for director Wes Craven, writer Kevin Williamson, and original Scream cast member Skeet Ulrich that audiences never saw. According to MovieHole (via Killer Movies), Ulrich — also known for Riverdale (pictured) — was removed in lieu of studio-optioned rewrites and reshoots. But in 2022, the Scream fan site, Hello Sidney, revealed his role via stills from an unreleased director's cut.

Michael Biehn (Terminator 2: Judgment Day)

Despite Kyle Reese' death in 1984’s The Terminator, Michael Biehn reprised the role in the 1991 sequel, which is now regarded one of the greatest action movies of all time. However, according to ScreenRant, the sequence — in which he comes to Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton) in a dream — was cut from Terminator 2: Judgment Day to maintain a tighter pace, but was later restored for an extended special edition. 

Angela Bassett (Mr. & Mrs. Smith)

Technically, Angela Bassett is in Mr. & Mrs. Smith, but her part as Brad Pitt’s boss was originally meant to be more than an uncredited voice role. On YouTube, you can find deleted scenes from Doug Liman’s 2004 romantic action-comedy with the two-time Oscar nominee appearing in person alongside Keith David as Father.

Adrien Brody (The Thin Red Line)

Several major actors had their roles were either severely trimmed or completely removed from Terrence Malick’s 1998 war epic, The Thin Red Line, like including Mickey Rourke and George Clooney, as ScreenRant recalls. However, Academy Award-winner Adrien Brody’s character, Cpl. Fife, was the central lead of James Jones' original novel and had even done press for the film when he discovered right before the premiere that he was barely in it, per The Independent (via Eskimo).

Mick Jagger (Fitzcarraldo)

Mick Jagger’s underrated acting skills were praised by Werner Herzog (per Playboy, via The Local), who cast the rock star in his 1982 adventure film, Fitzcarraldo. Unfortunately, according to Far Out, multiple problems facing the production — including star Jason Robards’ dysyntery, as the New York Times reported — caused a delay that interfered with The Rolling Stone's touring schedule. Thus, Herzog was forced to recast Robards’ title role with Klaus Kinski and write Jagger’s character out entirely.

Matt Damon (Ocean's 8)

Ocean’s 8 had some fun cameos from members of Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Eleven cast — namely Elliott Gould’s Rueben and Shaobo Qin as Yen — but we almost saw more. In addition to the late Carl Reiner telling Vanity Fair he filmed a scene with Sandra Bullock, THR reports that Matt Damon's cameo as Linus Caldwell from the 2001 heist favorite (pictured) was taken out due to “editorial and storytelling reasons,” as director Gary Ross claimed. The article does, however, mention a petition to remove Damon following comments he made about the #MeToo movement and Harvey Weinstein scandal.

Michelle Monaghan (Constantine, Syriana)

When Michelle Monaghan spoke to MovieHole to promote Mission: Impossible III, it was mentioned that she was removed from two different movies released in 2005: Constantine and Syriana. The fantasy comic book movie did preserve one of her scenes, but she's nowhere to be found in Steven Soderbergh’s Oscar-winning political drama, which already had many storylines to juggle, as Monaghan herself mentioned.

Tim Roth (Once Upon A Time In Hollywood)

Tim Roth is in many of Quentin Tarantino’s best movies — including Pulp Fiction (pictured) — and came very close to joining 2019’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. But Tarantino was orced to remove Roth's part to avoid a five-hour runtime. Roth did share in an interview with Uproxx that he appreciated, at least, being mentioned in the credits as “cut.”

Ellen Pompeo (Eternal Sunshine Of The Spotless Mind) 

As a video essay by Film Radar demonstrates, if Ellen Pompeo role’s in Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind had not been removed, we would have seen Michel Gondry’s trippy romantic sci-fi dramedy in a whole different light. In deleted scenes, the Grey’s Anatomy star plays Naomi — the woman Jim Carrey’s Joel left for Clementine (Kate Winslet) and whom he reconciles with after his memory wipe. Though he leaves her again when he meets Clementine on the train, unaware he has done this before.

Paul Rudd (Bridesmaids)

The Bridesmaids cast included plenty of funny people, but did you know Paul Rudd was also part of it for a moment? Director Paul Feig told EW he “felt bad” cutting the Ant-Man actor’s darkly funny cameo as Annie’s (co-writer Kristen Wiig) deranged blind date, but did so to shave down the runtime and avoid distracting from Annie’s love triangle with Ted (Jon Hamm) and Rhodes (Chris O’Dowd).

Katherine Langford (Avengers: Endgame)

In a deleted scene from Avengers: Endgame, immediately after Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) “snaps” Thanos (Josh Brolin) away, he is given the chance to say one final goodbye to an older version of his daughter, Morgan (Katherine Langford), in the Soulworld. At least the sequence’s omission gives Langford a chance to play a different Marvel character at some point, hopefully.

Uma Thurman (Savages) 

The 2012 crime drama Savages could have been touted as a reunion between John Travolta and Uma Thurman, who first worked together on Pulp Fiction (pictured), had the latter’s role as Ophelia’s (Blake Lively) mother not been removed. Director Oliver Stone revealed to Huff Post that Paqu was actually one of several character from Don Winslow’s novel did not make it into the movie due to time constraints.

Amy Poehler (Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy)

When mentioning her axed cameo as a bank teller in 2004’s Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy with Vulture, Amy Poehler admits she correctly predicted the movie was already too long to keep her scene, which also featured fellow SNL star Maya Rudolph as a gang leader. Thankfully, the Parks and Rec cast member did appear in the 2013 sequel alongside her buddy, Tina Fey.

Rachel Weisz (To The Wonder)

In 2012, Rachel Weisz spoke to La Stampa (via EW) about how she had the pleasure of working with Terrence Malick on To the Wonder, but would “not have the pleasure of seeing [her] work.” For unknown reasons, the Oscar-winning star of The Constant Gardener (pictured) was removed from the romantic drama starring Ben Affleck and Olga Kurylenko. And she wasn't alone, as IndieWire later reported that Barry Pepper, Michael Sheen and Amanda Peet were also missing from the final cut.

Viggo Mortenson (The Purple Rose Of Cairo)

One of the first movies Academy Award nominee Viggo Mortenson worked on was Woody Allen’s 1985 fantasy rom-com, The Purple Rose of Cairo. The star of the Lord of the Rings movies (pictured) spoke to ABC News' Peter Travers about how his frustrating experience shooting the film turned out to be meaningless since he was edited out the movie after it was released.

Matthew Fox (World War Z)

The 2013 adaptation of Max Brooks’ World War Z was plagued by rewrites and reshoots that resulted in an entirely new third act from what was intended. As a result, Lost cast member Matthew Fox’s role as a paratrooper was scaled down to just one line of dialogue, which may have been disappointing for the self-proclaimed fan of the OG book, per Huff Post.

Jack Whitehall (Frozen)

In a clip shared to Jack Whitehall’s official YouTube channel, the British comedian shares with an audience how his one-line role as a troll in Disney’s Oscar-winning animated film, Frozen, was reduced to a non-speaking part. The Jungle Cruise cast member and star of Clifford the Big Red Dog (pictured) goes on to say that, after discovering his line was removed when he first saw the movie, a friend of his found a photo of him at a Frozen press junket and meme-ified it. 

James Van Der Beek (Storytelling)

Tom Solondz’s 2002 anthology dramedy, Storytelling, consists of two segments dealing with various challenging topics, but there were original three. As EW reported, the omitted third chapter starred James Van Der Beek — known for being part of the Dawson’s Creek cast and Varsity Blues (pictured) — as a high school football player discovering he's gay.

Sienna Miller (Black Mass)

Before the 2015 crime thriller released, it was already confirmed tha Sienna Miller had been cut from Black Mass. She was cast as Catherine Greig, who had a relationship infamous gangster, Whitey Bulger (played by Johnny Depp in the film). Director Scott Cooper admitted to The Boston Globe that it was a difficult decision to remove the English actor -- then best known for American Sniper (pictured) -- but it ultimately “came down to narrative choices.”

Jena Malone (Batman v Superman: Dawn Of Justice)

Following previous rumors that she would play Robin, Jena Malone’s comic book movie debut in Zack Snyder’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice actually never made it to the big screen. Luckily, her role as head S.T.A.R. Labs scientist Jenet Klyburn — first revealed in leaked footage —  would be included in the 2016 DC movie’s three-hour “Ultimate Cut."

So if your friends ever quiz you about has or hasn't starred in major movies, this list should provide you with some interesting loopholes.

It's challenging to convey the immense cultural impact of The Lord of the Rings trilogy to those who didn't experience it firsthand. The movies, released annually from 2001 to 2003, became a colossal phenomenon. Despite the current abundance of Tolkien-related content, with Amazon’s Rings of Power being renewed for a second season and more Rings movies around the corner, the original trilogy holds a special place in my family's heart. For three consecutive years, we made it a holiday tradition to head to the cinema in December, clad in capes and armed with plastic swords and rings (please don't judge). We eagerly awaited the next installment in Peter Jackson's visionary series. 

Now, as we celebrate the twentieth anniversary of one of the best movies of the 2000s and its epic conclusion, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, one behind-the-scenes moment emerges as a testament to the camaraderie and dedication that shaped this cinematic masterpiece. Let's revisit the final day of principal photography, where the charming Viggo Mortensen, a.k.a Aragorn, left an indelible mark on the hearts of fans and the cast alike.

Four Hobbits And A King Take Their Final Bow

The crescendo of The Lord of the Rings, both in its literary and incredible book adaptation, reaches its zenith at the coronation of King Elessar, also known as Aragorn II. As unveiled in a revealing behind-the-scenes documentary, this pivotal moment was referred to as the “Coronation Scene” during the production of Peter Jackson's iconic movies. Inside the Citadel of Minas Tirith, depicted in The Return of the King, Gandalf, aided by Gimli, crowns Aragorn against the majestic backdrop of the Throne Hall. 

With his back to the people, Aragorn is serenaded with Elendil's enchanting music. The film captures the poignant sequence as Arwen, played by Liv Tyler, arrives, their embrace culminating in a tender kiss. When the newly crowned couple turns toward their former fellowship members, the four hobbits begin to kneel to the royalty. However, Aragorn interrupts the gesture, delivering the now-classic line, "My friends, you bow to no one." In a gesture of humility, the king and queen kneel before the four small heroes who played a pivotal role in saving all of Middle-Earth. 

This heartfelt moment adds another layer of emotional resonance to the rich tapestry of the beloved fantasy trilogy and happens to be the last day of principal photography for the cast and crew. 

In the documentary The Cameras of Middle-Earth, released with the extended edition DVD of The Return of the King, the cast of The Lord of the Rings breaks down the final moments on set as well as the endearing way in which The Road performer showed up for his fellow actors.

Viggo Mortensen Goes Above And Beyond

Billy Boyd, the actor who portrayed the fun-loving Hobbit with the voice of an angel Pippin, reflects on the culmination of principal photography, highlighting the last scene filmed together. Boyd said:

Dominic Monaghan, cherished as Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck by LOTR fans and remembered fondly as the gone-too-soon TV fan favorite Charlie from ABC’s prestige television show Lost sheds light on the Captain Fantastic actor's remarkable commitment to his craft. Despite having wrapped up his filming, Viggo extended his dedication by making himself available to his fellow cast members. Faced with the unexpected hurdle of not having a crown for the scene, the Crime of the Future star fashioned one out of paper. Monaghan fondly recounts this delightful behind-the-scenes moment:

As fans can imagine, this was quite a fantastic scene of on-set camaraderie, but imagine they must not because the documentary is available in full for your viewing pleasure on YouTube. 

Sean Astin, the former child star and the actor behind Samwise (a role that nearly went to James Corden, believe it or not), reflects on the beauty of wrapping up the trilogy with all four hobbits united—a poetic symmetry that traces back to their initial scene on the wooded road. Astin puts it:

In the hustle and bustle of a film set's final day, it's not uncommon for actors to wrap up their scenes and make a swift exit. However, the History of Violence star went above and beyond the call of duty. He didn't have to be there for this particular shot, but he made himself available, contributing to the emotional weight of the scene.

Aragon Was A Hero On Set More Than Once

Mortensen's heroics extended beyond a single act during the film's concluding production hours. Liv Tyler, who portrays Arwen (set to return to the MCU as Betty Ross), shared a behind-the-scenes anecdote in the same documentary about her on-screen time with Viggo and the pivotal Coronation scene. After the Aragon performer's coverage had wrapped, he was redirected to another task, leaving Tyler to film her side of the emotionally charged reunion—a significant moment involving a heartfelt kiss—with a stand-in. Tyler recounts the moment:

I'm with Liv on this one. The idea of having her film such a crucial scene, especially her final moment in the movie, with Mortensen's stunt double, seems absurd. Fortunately, she spoke up, and sanity prevailed among the crew.

A Timeless Moment In Cinematic History

As we journey back to the final days of filming The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, the enduring image of the Appaloosa actor donning his makeshift crown serves as a timeless emblem of the celebration of friendship, creativity, and the everlasting resonance of a narrative that has captured hearts across generations. Here's to Viggo Mortensen, the DIY crown, and the cinematic masterpiece that continues to captivate audiences two decades later.

For those eager to immerse themselves in the entirety of the Peter Jackson Middle-Earth trilogy, a Max (formerly HBO Max) subscription unlocks the gateway to this epic saga. If you're anticipating fresh Tolkien content, brace yourself for the upcoming animated motion picture, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, and the television series, The Rings of Power—available for streaming with an Amazon Prime Video subscription.

In 2018, 12 soccer players and their coach ventured into the Tham Luang Nang Non cave in Thailand and became trapped when the cave flooded. The search-and-rescue operation made international headlines for weeks, as rescuers from around the world came together to try to save them. Director Ron Howard has proven his ability to adapt real-life stories for the drama of the big screen, and he is now exploring the Tham Luang cave rescue in the upcoming film Thirteen Lives. Critics have screened the film, so let’s see what they have to say.

Viggo Mortensen, Colin Farrell and Joel Edgerton star as part of the team attempting the rescue of the young footballers. Expectations are high, as the survival drama is already generating 2023 Oscar buzz after receiving the best test scores in MGM studio history. So let’s get right to it, starting with CinemaBlend’s review of Thirteen Lives. Mike Reyes rates the movie 3 out of 5 stars, saying that while survival movie lovers should still be pleased, Ron Howard opts for realism over melodramatic thrills. For example, conversations about the expectation of casualties replace rousing inspirational speeches. Reyes said:

Lovia Gyarkye of THR calls it a reliably tense retelling but says it lacks depth. This critic wishes more time were devoted to the parents’ struggles or how the boys survived, rather than the discomfort the divers felt with the press:

Danielle Solzman of Solzy at the Movies rates Thirteen Lives a 4.5 out of 5, lauding Ron Howard for being able to bring the intensity, despite the fact that we already know the ending going into the film: 

The only problems that Todd McCarthy of Deadline has with Ron Howard’s latest project is that the story was already told in the high-profile documentary The Rescue last year, and Thirteen Lives’ release to streaming after only a week might discourage audiences from seeing it on the big screen as Howard intends: 

David Erhlich of IndieWire agrees, at least on the point of Thirteen Lives having to compete with The Rescue, which this critic argues might have been better. This movie garnered a C+, but the review acknowledges that the story of the Tham Luang cave rescue is incredible enough to survive any storytelling deficiencies, and Ron Howard provides an engrossing rendition of the event: 

With the Oscar buzz this movie is already garnering, you might want to catch this one in theaters when it premieres Friday, July 29. However, if a trip to the movies isn’t in the cards, Amazon Prime Video subscribers will have access to Thirteen Lives starting on Friday, August 5. In the meantime, check out some more movies based on true-life survival stories, and keep up with what else is coming to theaters soon with our 2022 Movie Release Schedule. 

SPOILERS are ahead for David Cronenberg’s Crimes of the Future. 

Since the 1970s, David Cronenberg has established himself as a distinct filmmaker with a tendency to shock and challenge his viewers with ideas of visceral bodily transformation and and distinct themes to ponder as the credits roll. That continues with the Crimes of the Future ending following an intriguing imagining of a time where humans have a different definition of the line between pain and pleasure. It’s time to break down how the movie concludes and what it's perhaps trying to say. 

Crimes of the Future takes place on an unspecified date in the future where pollution and climate change have seriously affected the human race. Due to this, there have been significant advances in biotechnology and human bodies are perhaps changing in a way where they no longer feel physical pain the way they used to (and we do now). As members of the Crimes of the Future cast, we follow two performance artists, Viggo Mortensen’s Saul Tenser and Léa Seydoux’s Caprice, the latter who regularly performs advanced surgeries on her partner for the entertainment and awe of audiences. Now, to break down the ending: 

What Happens At The End Of Crimes Of The Future

Throughout Crimes of the Future, Saul is trying to make best use of his body for his art. As we learn, Mortensen’s character has the unique ability to grow new organs, which he is using to his advantage in his shows, because Caprice can remove them for performances in front of a live audience. Amidst this, Saul and Caprice are logging the new organs he creates to the “National Organ Registry,” which is a fairly new governmental office designed to uphold the state’s restrictions on human evolution. 

As Crimes of the Future hits its third act, the focus moves toward another body rather than Saul Tenser. The focus becomes on the corpse of Brecken, a young boy who was killed by his mother in the beginning of the movie. After his father, Lang (Scott Speedman), retrieves his son’s corpse, he offers the body up to Saul and Caprice to have an autopsy performed on him for their show. The autopsy would not only shake up the pair’s act but show the public something new in the direction of human evolution with Brecken’s insides. Lang tells them that Brecken genetically inherited the ability to eat plastics following a synthetic surgery Lang received. 

Saul and Caprice agree to the public autopsy, but it does not prove to be the “miracle” Lang sells it as, but we do see a ton of organs flooding his body. Lang is then brutally killed and the final scene is between Saul and Caprice in their home. There, Saul decides to try a plastic chocolate bar that Lang had created and used to kill someone earlier in the film. As Caprice films him eating it, he ingests it and is able to successfully consume the plastic. 

What Was Going On With Saul Tenser? 

Saul Tenser was working undercover with Detective Cope throughout Crimes of the Future, frequently meeting with him throughout the film, dispelling information based on his own dealings within the performance art scene he is part of. But, due to his actions throughout the movie, it’s clear that Saul didn’t take a particular side on the debate over human evolution except for when it served his own job as a performance artist. 

As far as what was going on with Saul’s body, it is explained in the film that he has Accelerated Evolution Syndrome, which allows him to grow these organs for his shows, but also somehow makes it more difficult for him to process regular foods. Saul is seen eating his meals in a specific chair that looks to help him cope with the condition by moving his body around while he eats. 

What The Abrupt Ending Means And Symbolizes 

Crimes of the Future begins with Breckin, and the child becomes a major part of the story David Cronenberg aims to tell. As we see early in the film, Breckin pretty much eats anything and is able to digest it. His mother, disturbed by his eating habits, kills him in his sleep and then calls his father to pick up his body. Knowing the information we do from the previous sections, it seems he had a similar condition to Saul. Seeing as Breckin was able to eat plastics and other odd items as food and be OK, Saul in the final scene decides to eat a plastic chocolate bar. 

As the conclusion shows, he is fine afterwards, showing that perhaps in this future humankind is being so affected by pollution and climate change, they will not need human food to survive at some point. It could be a discovery that would change the society of Crimes of the Future as they know it. The bite of the plastic chocolate bar is an abrupt way to end the movie, but also is a way for audiences to think and imagine how our evolution could potentially take us further away from being human. 

Other Themes Crimes Of The Future Explores 

Aside from the ending of Crimes of the Future, the movie explores a number of ideas, including those Viggo Mortensen and Léa Seydoux spoke to CinemaBlend about in our interview. Seydoux, of the James Bond movies, told us, 

Cronenberg, who wrote the script over 20 years before shooting it, has also spoken to the movie being about artistry. He told Variety this: 

Seydoux shared honestly that she didn’t really know what to make of the film when she first read it, but really latched on to the characters when playing the role. Mortensen called the movie a “very tender love story,” about a committed relationship that includes sacrifice for one another. Perhaps, Crimes of the Future is this complex painting we’ll all take something else from? What we're certain of is there are a lot of different meanings one can take from it. 

After nearly a decade since David Cronenberg’s last feature, The Fly and Crash filmmaker is back with Crimes of the Future. The movie takes him back to his science fiction roots as he imagines a world where “surgery is the new sex” and human bodies are starting to evolve in new ways. The story, which feels like a relevant social commentary for today, was actually written over 20 years ago, and Cronenberg recently shared how the movie might have been different if it was made in the early 2000s instead. 

During CinemaBlend’s exclusive interview with David Cronenberg, the filmmaker spoke about how Crimes of the Future is perhaps different from how it would have been if he had shot the script right after finishing it. In his words: 

A big takeaway here is that David Cronenberg apparently didn’t change a single word of his Crimes of the Future script between the time he wrote it and beginning production in 2021 in Athens, Greece. As he shared, there are a few small elements of the film that would have been different if he made it back in the day, including his now-frequent collaborator Viggo Mortensen likely not being involved, the shooting location and perhaps his own improvement as a filmmaker. 

Crimes of the Future was reportedly originally going to be made back in 2003 with both Nicolas Cage and Ralph Fiennes rumored to star as Viggo Mortensen’s role of Saul Tenser, via Science Fiction & Fantasy Chronicles. Later, Cronenberg shared that he had lost interest in the script at the time, and he later met Mortensen following the actor's work on the Lord of the Rings trilogy. The two then worked together for the first time on A History of Violence. 

In the context of today, Crimes of the Future works in a new way that might have been seen another way if it was made in the early ‘00s. In 2022, it feels like the movie is speaking to this idea of humans being desensitized in the age of social media, along with the persistent environmental concerns on our evolution of humans. 

Crimes of the Future has been released with an overall mixed response (check out our review of the Cronenberg movie). CinemaBlend also spoke with Mortensen and co-star Léa Seydoux about their thoughts on the meaning behind the movie. Check out the upcoming 2022 movie calendar to see what other cinematic entertainment there is to look forward to following the science fiction release. 

Since David Cronenberg’s latest movie Crimes of the Future has focused its marketing around images of sliced-up bodies and the tagline “surgery is the new sex,” there’s been an interesting discourse about what The Fly filmmaker could possibly have in store for audiences with his return to sci-fi horror. Then, when it premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, there were reports of viewers walking out of the debut screening during its grotesque sequences. Léa Seydoux and Viggo Mortensen, two of the movie's stars, have ideas about the movie’s themes, and their answer opposes the popular belief about it. 

When CinemaBlend virtually sat down with Seydoux and Mortensen, we spoke about the themes of the film from their own point of view. First, in the No Time To Die actress’ words: 

Both Seydoux and Mortensen seem to agree on the core element of the movie, and to them, it’s nearly a love story. Check out the Lord of the Ring actor’s thoughts: 

You can check out the Crimes of the Future actors’ full responses in the video above. Cronenberg’s latest movie centers on their characters, Mortensen’s Saul Tenser and Seydoux’s Caprice, who are performance artists in an imagined future. In this future, humans have evolved past simple pleasures and turn to pain to turn them on and entertain themselves. Weird? Yes, but as the actors shared, there’s a deeper storyline between its main characters they enjoyed exploring. 

While much of the conversation around Crimes of the Future is in its blood and gore, which is often associated with David Cronenberg’s best work, the movie itself has an emotional story involving these performance artists who have a unique partnership and care about one another in an intriguing way. As someone who has seen the movie (check out CinemaBlend’s review of Crimes of the Future), I can see how the actors have gravitated toward this element of the film, because it was truly the most human and oddly most interesting element of the movie. 

Crimes of the Future feels like a thought experiment of where we could go as a society in hundreds of years as we continue to become numbed by the entertainment that used to blow our minds. And amidst the ideas being explored, the audience is grounded by the affection two people can have for each other, even if their careers and way of having sex are super uncomfortable and alien to modern times. 

You can also check out CinemaBlend’s interview with David Cronenberg about working with Kristen Stewart and stay tuned for more exclusive coverage on upcoming 2022 movies.  

After Kristen Stewart reached a career high just months ago with her role as Princess Diana in the Oscar-nominated Spencer, the actress is continuing to make interesting career choices, now with David Cronenberg’s Crimes of the Future. The movie, which recently premiered at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival to buzz of festival-goers walking out during grotesque scenes, features an especially memorable scene of Stewart and Lord of the Rings’ Viggo Mortensen, with which she apparently surprised the director. 

When CinemaBlend spoke to David Cronenberg, the legendary filmmaker, known for ‘80s science fiction horror movies like The Fly and Videodrome, shared what it was like to work with Kristen Stewart. In his words: 

In Crimes of the Future, Kristen Stewart is among a star-studded cast also including Léa Seydoux of the recent Bond films. Stewart plays a character unlike we’ve seen the actress take on named Timlin, who becomes fascinated with Viggo Mortensen’s Saul and seduces him later in the film. It’s a long sequence you wouldn’t imagine Mortensen and Stewart would nail right away. Cast member Scott Speedman co-signed on their work on the scene too. As he told CinemaBlend: 

Kristen Stewart got the chance to work with David Cronenberg after her Twilight co-star Robert Pattinson introduced him to her after he was cast in his 2012 film Cosmopolis. As Cronenberg also said, Stewart really brought his character to life through her performance in a way he wasn’t necessarily expecting: 

Crimes of the Future is set in a future where pain is the new pleasure and “sex is the new surgery.” Mortensen and Seydoux’s Saul and Caprice duo performance artist team delight audiences with their surgeries that serves as a new form of entertainment during the time. However, when they are presented with a new act, they must decide if they are willing to cross a new line for their art. 

After debuting at Cannes to a six-minute standing ovation, the movie debuted to limited theaters over the weekend and will go nationwide this weekend. The movie was overall praised by critics, including CinemaBlend’s 3.5 out of 5 review of Crimes of the Future. Audiences, on the other hand, are so far mixed on whether it was worth their time. Keep up with more upcoming 2022 movies coming this summer here on CinemaBlend. 

David Cronenberg’s return to horror, Crimes of the Future, has been getting a lot of buzz ever since members of the audience walked out during its premiere at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, and now moviegoers around the world finally have a chance to see what all the fuss is about. If you were curious or brave enough to check out what has been described as a “slow burn” with “effective body horror,” and have seen the movie already, you may be wondering why some of those faces look so familiar.

Sure, Viggo Mortensen, Léa Seydoux, and Kristen Stewart are all instantly recognizable, but there are other members of the Crime of the Future cast that might be unknown to most who have watched, or at least heard about the movie. That being said, let’s break down each member of the main cast and where you’ve seen them before, in some shape or form.

Viggo Mortensen (Saul Tenser)

At the center of Crimes of the Future’s twisted, futuristic narrative is Viggo Mortensen’s Saul Tenser, a man who has the ability to will new organs to grow into his body that are then later removed as part of some art performance. 

This isn’t the first time Mortensen has worked with David Cronenberg, as the former Lord of the Rings star had top billing in 2005’s A History of Violence and two years later in Eastern Promises, though neither of those would be considered horror movies. The list of Mortensen’s great movies include Green Book, Captain Fantastic, Hidalgo, G.I. Jane, Daylight, Crimson Tide, and even Witness. But, to some, he will always be Aragorn.

Léa Seydoux (Caprice)

Next up is Léa Seydoux, who shows up in Crimes of the Future as Caprice, Saul’s ambitious assistant who channels her former career as a trauma surgeon to perform bizarre performances that involve removing organs in front of a live audience.

Seydoux has some experience with portrayals of characters at the center of expressive art performances, considering she played Simone, the prison guard and muse of an incarcerated artist in 2021’s The French Dispatch. However, Seydoux is mostly remembered for her appearances in the two most recent James Bond movies — Spectre and No Time to Die — where she played 007’s love interest. Over the years, Seydoux has also popped up in movies like The Grand Budapest Hotel, The Lobster, Inglourious Basterds, Mission: Impossible — Ghost Protocol, and the 2013 NC-17 romantic drama, Blue is the Warmest Color

Kristen Stewart (Timlin)

Kristen Stewart steps into the picture in Crimes of the Future as Timlin, an officer from the Organ Registry who keeps a detailed log of Saul’s organs and the performances in which they are removed.

To some, Kristen Stewart is and always will be remembered for her portrayal of Bella Swan in the Twilight franchise, which you could argue was her breakout role. But in addition to playing the protagonist in one of the most divisive film properties of the past 20 years, Stewart has been in a ton of other great movies. Over the years, she’s appeared in Panic Room, Adventureland, Still Alice, Happiest Season, and most recently, Spencer, which earned her an Oscar nomination for her take on the ill-fated Princess Diana. 

Don McKellar (Wippet)

Don McKellar shows up in Crimes of the Future as Wippet, Timlin’s superior investigator with the Organ Registry who keeps track of Saul and Caprice’s various provocative performances.

McKellar previously worked with David Cronenberg on the 1999 science-fiction horror movie, eXistenZ, just one of the many title on the actor’s extensive filmography. He has also appeared in movies like The Red Violin, Last Night, The Grand Seduction, Most Wanted, and most recently The Middle Man. McKellar also has TV work to his name, with the most notable contribution being the animated series, Odd Job Jack.

Scott Speedman (Lang Dotrice)

Then there is Scott Speedman, who makes an appearance in Crimes of the Future as Lang Dotrice, a severely haunted man who handles the death of his son in a very peculiar way.

Speedman is mostly remembered for his various TV roles, which include Ben Covington on Felicity, Barry “Baz” Blackwell in Animal Kingdom (which is one of the shows ending in 2022), and Dr. Nick Marsh on Grey’s Anatomy. Over the years, Speedman has also popped up in movies like Underworld and its sequel Underworld: Evolution, XXX: State of the Union, The Strangers, The Vow, Run This Town, and most recently, Best Sellers.

Welket Bungué (Detective Cope)

Taking on the role of the one of the few skeptics of the organ performance art in Crimes of the Future is Welket Bungué who portrays Detective Cope in David Cronenberg’s return to body horror.

Throughout his career, Bungué has appeared in various film, TV, and stage productions, including the likes of Berlin Alexanderplatz, País Irmão, Joaquim, Boida Por Ti, and dozens of others in Portugal. Bungué has just as many, if not more, appearances in short films that date back to 2009, around the time he made his acting debut.

Tanaya Beatty (Berst)

But, the surgical shows are just one side of the organ art in Crimes of the Future’s dark, twisted, and anything goes futuristic world, as there are people behind the scenes making it all possible, like Tanaya Beatty’s Berst.

Fans of the the incredibly popular neo-western series, Yellowstone, will immediately recognize Beatty from her portrayal of Avery, the former stripper who was invited to work on the Dutton Ranch by Rip Wheeler. That isn’t her only big TV role, though, as Beatty has shown up on Arctic Air, Continuum, The 100, and The Night Shift all the in the past decade. Beatty also has a number of film appearances, as well, including The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn — Part 1, Hostiles, Through Black Spruce, and Murder at Emigrant Gulch, to name only a few.

Nadia Litz (Router)

Nadia Litz plays Router, one of the technicians involved in the orchestration of the incredibly graphic performance art at the center of Crimes of the Future. 

Throughout her career, which goes back to the 1996 made-for-TV movie, Hidden in America, Litz has appeared in a number of film productions, including The Mighty, Love That Boy, Some Things That Stay, Blindness, You Are Here, and Big Muddy. Her TV work includes shows like King, Due South, Wind at My Back, and other productions.

Lihi Kornowski (Djuna)

Lihi Kornowski shows up in Crimes of the Future as Djuna, the ex-wife of Lang Dotrice who is sitting in prison after being convicted of murdering their young son. 

Much of Kornowski’s work throughout her career, which goes back to 2012, has been spent on the small screen with TV shows like Summer Break Diaries, The Hood, The Commune, Losing Alice, Who Died, Ballistic, and Malkot. However, she does have a few film credits to her name outside of her role in the new David Cronenberg horror movie. These include Sublet, Born in Jerusalem and Still Alive, and The Burglar, as well as a handful of short films along the way.

Yorgos Pirpassopoulos (Dr Nasatir) 

Taking on the role of Dr. Nasatir in Crimes of the Future is Yorgos Pirpassopoulos, who portrays a man who is set on getting Saul to participate in what is known as an “Inner Beauty Pageant.”

Over the course of his career, which dates back to TV appearances as early as 1990, Pirpassopoulos has popped up on dozens of productions (big screen and small screen alike) including Chevalier, End of an Era, Thymata Eirinis, Beckett, Eden, and Monday, the 2020 streamy romantic drama starring Sebastian Stan and Denise Gough. Pirpassopoulos has also provided his voice for a number of video games over the years with perhaps the biggest being Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey. He has also appeared in a large number of short films and TV shorts during that same stretch of time.

Denise Capezza (Odile)

And then there is Denise Capezza, who portrays Odile in David Cronenberg’s Crimes of the Future, her latest in a series of interesting film and TV projects.

Since making her debut in the Italian TV series, Don Matteo, in 2011, Capezza has landed roles on shows like Gomorrah (which was based on the great Italian film of the same name), Baby, Bang Bang Baby, and several others. And, although most of her work can be found on the small screen, Crimes of the Future isn’t Capezza’s first time showing on the silver screen. Over the years, the actress has been spotted in Another World, Cobra Non È, San Valentino Stories, Darbe, and Hep Yek, as well as a number of short films like Killer in Red and Koala, to name just a couple.

As great as this collection of actors may appear, it is just barely scratching the surface of the Crimes of the Future cast, as David Cronenberg’s latest body horror movie features even more talented actors before the screen fades to black and the credits begin to roll. It should also be noted that the Crimes of the Future is just one of the many great horror movies coming to theaters in 2022.

When we look at the history of the human race, one pattern that continues to progress is our eagerness to push the envelope and lean into things that generations before us would snicker at and be bewildered by. In David Cronenberg’s latest film, Crimes of the Future, that modernization is a redefinition of how we view our bodies as a vessel for pleasure. The dubbed “King of Venereal Horror” imagines that far into the future we may become bored with our current notions around sex, and the regular twisting and turning into our skin and organs is the kind of intimacy we may crave. Surgery is the new porn and eroticism of society. The thought is enough to make you squirm, isn't it? 

Following David Cronenberg’s more recent, contemporary works from the ‘90s to 2014’s Map To The Stars, the filmmaker has finally returned with Crimes of the Future to his sci-fi/horror roots, for which he is still most beloved. The power of the concept itself is enough to induce horror considering our own obscene tendencies as humans, because hey, in a few hundred years, we might go there.

The title was previously used for one of his first features in 1970, but this is not a remake. It is however, the realization of a project Cronenberg has had in the works for nearly twenty years – and it shows. Crimes of the Future is incredibly rich in its ideas and world building – it feels like the stellar adaptation of a dusty ‘80s sci-fi novel you might find adjacent to Dune on a bookshelf. But, to its credit, the stickler for Crimes of the Future is presenting this expansive idea in a way where one craves for it to go even further down its hole of visceral imagery. But, within its incredibly crafted and terrifying visions, audiences never are quite sent to the deep end of its thematic horrors.

Crimes Of The Future balances its slow burn science fiction vision with effective body horror, but sometimes it gets silly. 

Crimes of the Future follows two performance artists – Viggo Mortensen’s Saul Tenser and Léa Seydoux’s Caprice – who have become well-known within the movie’s somewhat ambiguous setting and far future. Caprice, who was a trauma surgeon prior to her current profession, performs surgeries on Saul while audiences ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ at their shows. Saul has the unique ability to will new organs to grow into his body, which Caprice regularly removes during their shows. 

They are logged into an Organ Registry – which is where Kristen Stewart’s Timlin and Don McKellar’s Wippet come in. They are logging these organs for them, which in this society adds a certain sexual appeal and scientific intrigue to Saul’s profile as an artist. 

Saul and Caprice’s act is one of many, all of whom serve as the new primary form of entertainment in between couples in dark alleys cutting up each other for sexual pleasure in a world numb to “the old sex.” The lengths this science fiction concept goes to imagine how people live their daily lives in this dark, twisted fantasy. That being said, there are also a few moments that come off as laughable in the wrong places. It can be tough to follow the tone when jokes are being cracked amidst some otherwise disturbing material. It’s welcome in a sense because you don’t want Crimes of the Future to be cold as ice, but tones don't always blend with ease. 

Amidst this, Saul finds a new show for himself and Caprice that will really push the boundaries of their performance art relating to a child. In this thread, Crimes of the Future feels like Cronenberg’s version of a science fiction, slow-burn noir. The movie is careful with how it builds tension. Its frequent body horror moments don't emerge into a the big scares one might imagine from it, but instead it's an interesting (sometimes boring) set mystery specifically within Saul and Caprice's world. 

Léa Seydoux and Kristen Stewart particularly astonish with offbeat but enrapturing performances. 

As Léa Seydoux has become a highlight within the Bond franchise and other recent roles, the actor brings her comforting presence to Crimes of the Future as the movie’s most exciting character. Seydoux's Caprice is calm, cool and completely passionate in her work. She elevates Mortensen’s character, who is a more reserved and indifferent character, with a unique weight to bear in his performance. 

In contrast to Seydoux, comes another particularly terrific performance from Kristen Stewart – a mousy investigator of the Organ Registry who also becomes very invested in Saul. Her delivery somehow fits in the world and is animated, bold and unlike anything we've ever seen from the Oscar nominee. Both Seydoux and Stewart also sell a sex appeal that's key to Crimes of the Future in its own weird, very particular, classy, not insanely perverse way. 

Cronenberg has something profound to say about human nature’s evolution. 

As Crimes of the Future reaches its final moments before Howard Shore’s effective score ramps back up in the credits, it's clear David Cronenberg’s film is firmly centered on not only its concept, but what he wants to say about humankind through it. Among the stomaching of the blood, guts and weird eroticism of Crimes of the Future, the sci-fi drama is slow-building and steady with its hand. If only all the slicing and thought-provoking exercise had paid off in a third act as powerful as the subject and the rest of the tension Cronenberg builds. There's either an extra 20 minutes the movie could have benefitted from, or it needed to be a tighter film overall. 

Throughout the movie there are a number of lines that don’t dance around, but rather in plain words state the legendary filmmaker’s thesis for the film. The next stage of human evolution down the line could transform us into something genetically new. Crimes of the Future asks the question: if we grow numb to the human warning system of pain, are we human anymore? It succeeds in asking the question and provides a distinctive vision for how horrific humankind is and can be. 

While Middle Earth is home to countless creatures with extended lifespans, humans here on regular Earth are still subject to the normal passage of time. This includes the cast members of The Lord of the Rings, who are unfortunately not gifted with elven immortality. But just how long ago did the movies come out, and how old should you feel about it? The answer is very, very old. Just look at this viral tweet about Viggo Mortensen, a.k.a Aragorn (son of Arathorn, heir of Isildur, et cetera, et cetera). 

Media personality and host of the Culturally Relevant podcast David Chen recently tweeted a rather alarming piece of information regarding the cast of The Lord of the Rings. If you want to feel absolutely prehistoric, take a peek at his post below: 

This is, tragically, one hundred percent true. For context: Sir Ian McKellen is currently 82 years old. He was 61 when he was cast in The Lord of the Rings in 1999. If that fact alone doesn’t make you feel positively ancient, Viggo Mortensen was 42 in 1999, and he turned 63 last October. So David Chen is correct: Viggo Mortensen is indeed older than Gandalf was in The Fellowship of the Ring. 

Naturally, fans had to weigh in on this terrifying statistic. If you look carefully, you can actually see Twitter go through the seven stages of grief. First up: shock (there was a lot of this one): 

After LOTR fans picked themselves up off the ground, they moved on to stage two: denial. It’s not just a river in Gondor. 

Next up, of course, was anger. Maybe not Sauron post-War-of-the-Last-Alliance-level anger - more like 'Gandalf yelling at Pippin after he messes with the palantír' levels of rage. 

Some fans skipped straight to the bargaining portion. Sure, maybe you're old, but can you at least get a sequel out of the deal? 

Now, truth be told, there wasn't a lot of guilt to go around. Depression, however, was available in spades. 

And, to conclude the thrilling saga, we have acceptance and hope. Just like the eagles will rescue you from drowning in Mount Doom lava, so will a LOTR fan remind you of one of the series' main themes: 

Just like Frodo could not control whether or not he found the Ring, we cannot control how old we all felt when we found out that The Fellowship of the Ring celebrated its twentieth anniversary this year. All we can do is choose how to spend the rest of our time. And if you're me, that means choosing to rewatch all of The Lord of the Rings movies on HBO Max - including the newly remastered extended edition of The Return of the King). 

It’s been a long time since the film adaptations of Twilight and Lord of the Rings came out, but the fandoms still remain pretty strong. That’s why when such reference-worthy stars from either franchise start a new project, it’s kind of a big deal to a lot of people. Well, one new project is getting a top star from both of these franchises, so fans better hold on to their popcorn! Crimes of the Future is the title of the double whammy of a film, and stars both Twilight's Kristen Stewart and Lord of the Rings’ Viggo Mortensen.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Kristen Stewart and Viggo Mortensen are set to star together in David Cronenberg’s Crimes of the Future. If that name sounds familiar, you must be a 1970s sci-fi fan. This new project is actually a remake of another film by the same name that is also directed by Cronenberg, who is arguably most well known for directing The Fly.

Yes, that’s right, David Cronenberg is remaking his own film. It kind of makes sense, though, if you really think about it. It’s a sci-fi film that is set in the “not-so-distant” future, and the original was made in 1970. 50 years is a huge chunk of time, and it’s even larger when you think of the technological advances we have made since then, which is kind of important for a sci-fi film. It’s more than enough time to give Cronenberg the means to make the film he had the ideas for 50 years ago.

It totally makes sense that he would cast Viggo Mortensen and Kristen Stewart too. Even if we ignore the fact that they both have very large and very different fan bases, their background and main claim to fame is through their fantasy work. Yes, fantasy isn’t exactly sci-fi, but it’s pretty close. Also, Stewart recently dived into the sci-fi genre with Underwater and Mortensen... well, it’s Viggo Mortensen. Put him in anything, and I will watch it, because he is an amazingly versatile actor. He did play a pretty great dystopian land dweller in The Road, though, and that’s pretty close to sci-fi too.

Even with Kristen Stewart’s and Viggo Mortensen’s somewhat loose connections to the sci-fi genre, David Cronenberg more than makes up for it. Conenberg is one of the kings when it comes to horror and has a recognizable name in sci-fi too - he was even considered to direct Total Recall and turned down directing a Star Wars film, two major additions to sci-fi culture. Cronenberg has also recognized Mortensen for more than just Aragorn in Lord of The Rings for a long time, as they worked together on A History of Violence, so it’s no wonder the filmmaker is keen to work with the actor again.

The Crimes of the Future reboot is still in its early phases and is set to start filming in Greece this August. Although it may not be a film that Twilight and Lord of the Rings fans have come to know from Kristen Stewart and Viggo Mortensen, it’s really not that far off base, and fans may step out of their comfort zone to support the two fan favorites when it's finally released.

Back in 2000, Hugh Jackman became a blockbuster icon playing Wolverine in the first ever X-Men movie – but he famously wasn't the first choice for the part. 20th Century Fox explored a number of avenues before tapping the Australian actor for the role, and had even signed an original deal with Dougray Scott (who had to drop out due to an injury sustained on the Mission: Impossible II set). Viggo Mortensen was one of the performers who was on the studio's wish list back in the late 1990s, but he turned them down, and now he has revealed why: it was too big a commitment, and not faithful enough to the Marvel Comics source material to satisfy his son.

Viggo Mortensen was recently a guest on the Happy Sad Confused podcast (via The Playlist), as he is currently promoting the release of his directorial debut, Falling, and during the interview the Lord of the Rings star discussed the backstory behind the time he almost played Wolverine in X-Men. Per Mortensen, the reason he decided not to be a part of the project was because he knew that it would eat up many years of his career, and he didn't want to play the same character that many times. On top of that, he ran the proposal by his comic-book-fan son Henry Mortensen, and it wasn't viewed as up to snuff:

On the time commitment front: yeah, that was definitely a strong instinct demonstrated by Viggo Mortensen. Hugh Jackman wound up playing Wolverine seven times over the course of 17 years (including his cameo in X-Men: First Class), and while he got opportunities outside of the X-Men franchise, it was definitely seen as the role that his career revolved around.

As for the part of Wolverine in X-Men not being entirely faithful to Marvel Comics: also an accurate assessment. While the film is certainly revered for the way in which it changed the world of comic book movies, there is also a lot about the source material that was altered – much of it involving the three-clawed Canadian with the adamantium skeleton. According to Viggo Mortensen, Bryan Singer had memorable reaction to his son's assessment of the script... but added that it didn't really matter ultimately anyway.

Thinking about all this makes one consider how 21st century Hollywood would have been different. If Viggo Mortensen had said yes to playing Wolverine, that surely would have made him unavailable to replace Stuart Townsend and play Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings movies. But maybe that's a role that Hugh Jackman could have taken? He certainly wouldn't have been a bad fit for the part.

Just over three years ago, Amazon announced a television show set in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of The Rings universe. The show will take place thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings, so fans shouldn’t expect to see all of their favorites from the series. Viggo Mortensen, who played Aragorn II Elessar in Peter Jackson’s film trilogy, recently expressed his curiosity about Amazon’s Lord of The Rings television show.

After being asked if he would watch the upcoming Amazon series, Viggo Mortensen noted his interest in how the studio will bring Tolkien's words back to life:

In his interview with GQ, the thrice Oscar-nominated Danish-American actor admitted that he will more than likely be watching the show, which is due to release later this year. He also mentioned that he is "curious" to see how Amazon will interpret J.R.R. Tolkien's works, which is no surprise considering the issue he took with the last two films in The Lord of The Rings trilogy.

Only time will tell if Amazon’s series is closer to the grounded Fellowship of The Ring or if it will be a grandiose CGI-fest a la The Hobbit trilogy. Money is seemingly not an issue for the studio as The Lord of The Rings series will reportedly be a costly endeavor, clocking in at $125 million a season.

Viggo Mortensen isn’t the only Lord of The Rings veteran who has commented on the show. Hugo Weaving has already given a frank answer to the possibility of his character, Elrond, returning for the show. Even Elijah Wood, who starred as hobbit Frodo Baggins in four of Peter Jackson's films, has shared his reservations with the television adaptation.

The show promises to take viewers to never-before-seen locations in Middle Earth and has already been renewed for a second season. Fans of the franchise will have to wait though, as the show doesn’t have a confirmed release date but is expected for the later half of 2021.

Those wishing to return to Middle Earth ahead of the show's release need not look further than HBO Max, as both of Peter Jackson’s trilogies, The Hobbit and The Lord of The Rings, are currently streaming on the platform. Now is a perfect opportunity to revisit the fellowship, so long as you can handle the run-times.

Joining a massive film franchise in a major role can’t be easy for an actor to do. What’s even more difficult, though, is when an actor has to replace someone in a major role in a massive film franchise. This is the exact situation that Viggo Mortensen found himself in when he snagged the role of Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings franchise after Stuart Townsend was originally cast in the role. So how did Mortensen feel about the situation? Well, he’s now provided some thoughts on the matter.

Years ago, Stuart Townsend was set to take on the role of Aragorn in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings, but he was suddenly replaced by Mortensen the day before filming began. It was definitely an unusual and somewhat unfortunate situation and, when Mortensen reflected on it with The Irish Times, even he had to admit that it was “awkward.” He also revealed the he even met Townsend sometime later:

I guess, at the very least, it is nice that the two did eventually meet, though Mortensen didn’t give any major details other than the fact that he said hello. One can only hope that both weren’t too uncomfortable when it happened.

As rough as they may be, situations like these do tend to happen from time to time, especially when it comes to high-profile properties like The Lord of the Rings. Some superhero fans may remember that the role of James Rhodes a.k.a. War Machine in the MCU was originated by Terrence Howard and that he would be let go after Iron Man and be replaced by Don Cheadle. Although Howard did actually get to play the role in this case, there’s a chance he likely still feels the sting of being let go from what is now a billion-dollar franchise.

In regard to Viggo Mortensen, he ultimately proved that his casting was no fluke, as he was praised for his performance as Aragorn. Even to this day, movie lovers still recognize him for his role in Peter Jackson’s critically acclaimed set of films.

If anything, the nature of Viggo Mortensen and Stuart Townsend’s situation is only further proof of the rough and unpredictable nature of the film industry. Even when something seems set, plans can change at the drop of a dime.

Keep it here at CinemaBlend for more news from the world of film and TV.

It’s been nearly 20 years since the first Lord of the Rings film hit theaters -- but the impact the trilogy had on the cast and crew, as well as legions of fans worldwide, remains as strong as ever. The passionate response to the film series made it possible for plenty of additional content to be released but, despite that, plenty still remained on the cutting room floor. One of the trilogy’s stars, Viggo Mortensen, even admits that there’s one scene in particular he wishes had survived the editing process.

In Lord of the Rings, Viggo Mortensen played ranger-and-reluctant leader Aragorn. Though much of his story is focused on the way he learns to embrace his destiny, we also see his love affair with Arwen, a half-elf played by Liv Tyler. While they seem to be star-crossed lovers at first (with Aragorn resistant to letting her in), Return of the King ends with them not only as husband and wife but also king and queen.

The three films give us enough of an idea of their abiding love for one another to make their happily ever after work. But Viggo Mortensen recently told NME that there was even more to their story that didn’t make the final cut -- and he thinks that’s a bit of a shame:

The extended editions of each of the Lord of the Rings films did feature a bit more of Arwen and Aragorn’s backstory but nothing to the extent Viggo Mortensen is referring to here. Maybe Peter Jackson still has the footage sitting on a hard drive somewhere and he’d be willing to share it with the world someday. The twentieth anniversary of The Fellowship of the Ring is just around the corner, after all.

Even if that is not the case, Lord of the Rings fans still have new content awaiting them. Amazon Studios’ miniseries adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s books is still in the works, which means we’ll get to see the beloved characters reimagined yet again.

Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy is currently available to stream on HBO Max.

Actor Viggo Mortensen has been in the public eye for decades, as his impressive career saw him in both massive blockbusters like Lord of the Rings and award-winning critical favorites. The 62 year-old actor is continuing to make waves on the big screen, as he's making his directorial debut with the upcoming drama Falling. In the movie Mortensen is also playing a gay man, and he recently shared a frank response regarding backlash over his casting.

Over the past few years, there's been a ton of conversation in the film industry about inclusion and visibility. Particularly there have been calls for members of disenfranchised communities to have the opportunity to tell their own story on the big screen. This includes LGBTQIA+ folks being cast in major queer roles rather than being given to straight performers. After all, there's already so fewer LGBT roles in movies. It's a complicated situation, and Viggo Mortensen opened up about the potential backlash he's facing for playing his role in Falling. As he put it,

Well, that was honest. It looks like Viggo Mortensen thinks that conversations around around representation for queer folks is an important one. But it's also a complicated issue when it comes to actors who are tasked with transforming into someone else. Additionally, Mortensen believes that the general public is also making assumptions about his own sexuality in the situation involving Falling.

Viggo Mortensen's comments to the U.K. outlet The Times helps to show exactly how the Green Book actor is approaching his work on Falling, and the ongoing discussion about inclusion and representation on the big screen. The film industry has changed so much over the past few years, as issues of inequity regarding race, gender, and sexuality have been brought to the forefront. Mortensen had admitted he doesn't have all the answers, and that he also doesn't want the personal life of auditioners in the room to be a factor in the casting process.

As Viggo Mortensen mentioned, any backlash about his role in Falling is making an assumption about the Lord of the Rings alum. Namely that he's 100 percent heterosexual, something that Mortensen didn't actually confirm. He might have been married to a woman for over a decade, but sexuality is a spectrum that can also be a very private experience.

His directorial debut Falling is focused on complicated family issues. In the movie Viggo Mortinsen's character John lives with his male partner, who brings his mentally decaying father out West after living in a rural farm. It looks like a compelling piece of film, although there has been some backlash from activists wishing that an openly queer man had the role of John.

Falling was released internationally in theaters today. Be sure to check out our 2021 release list to plan your trips to the movies next year.

It has been nearly 20 years since audiences first met and fell in love with the stellar and expansive cast of The Lord Of The Rings. Over the course of three epic movies released in sequential years, the Middle Earth saga became one of the most beloved and successful franchises in cinematic history, partly thanks to the all-star cast. But in the years following the conclusion of Peter Jackson's crowning achievement, what have cast-members like Cate Blanchett, Liv Tyler, and Orlando Bloom been up to?

Well, quite a bit, actually. In the 17 years since the release of The Return Of The King, everyone from Viggo Mortensen to Andy Serkis have gone on to become household names after spring-boarding into stardom for their appearances in J.R.R. Tolkien's masterpiece. And while we will have to wait a little longer than expected to see the cast of the Amazon's Lord Of The Rings series in action, let's take a look back at the original cast and everything they've been up to since completing their journey.

Cate Blanchett (Galadriel)

Cate Blanchett's voice is one of the first audiences hear in the prologue of The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring, during which time her character, Galadriel, explains the creation and history of the Rings of Power. Throughout here appearances in the trilogy, the wise elf provides guidance to Frodo and other members of the fellowship. Over the past 17 years, the Australian-born actress has starred in dozens of feature films, stage productions, and television series, during which time she has won two Academy Awards (Best Supporting Actress in The Aviator; Best Actress Blue Jasmine). In addition to a number of dramatic roles, Blanchett has also popped up in Thor: Ragnarok, Cinderella, Ocean's 8, and is currently working with Guillermo del Toro for Nightmare Alley, a psychological thriller co-starring Bradley Cooper.

Liv Tyler (Arwen Undómiel)

Liv Tyler was at the peak of her career when she starred as Arwen Undómiel in The Lord Of The Rings. Daughter of the powerful Elven leader Elrond, Arwen proves herself to be quite handy throughout the trilogy, including saving Frodo from the black riders and striking up a love affair with future king, Aragorn. Since she completed her role in Peter Jackson's trilogy, Tyler has had a great deal of success in her professional life, with appearances in films like The Strangers, The Incredible Hulk, and Ad Astra, as well as television series like The Leftovers and Harlots. Tyler also has a starring role in the Fox action procedural, 9-1-1: Lone Star, which also stars Rob Lowe.

Orlando Bloom (Legolas)

One of the nine key members of the Fellowship of the Ring, the Sindarian Elf Legolas was a vital character in the The Lord Of The Rings thanks to his cool, calm, and collected demeanor and his impeccable archery and swordsmanship. Brought to life by a young Orlando Bloom, Legolas quickly became a fan favorite. Just as one saga was coming to an end for the English actor, another began with the Pirates Of The Caribbean franchise that only boosted Bloom's star appeal. Bloom's latest completed film, The Outpost, was supposed to premiere at the 2020 South by Southwest Film Festival, but the festival, and screening, was cancelled because of the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to his movie roles, Bloom is also the star of the Amazon original series Carnival Row, which is currently in production on Season 2.

Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn)

The de facto leader of the Fellowship of the Ring and the main protagonist of The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, Aragorn proved time and time again why not all hope is lost for man. Brought to life by the superb acting prowess of Viggo Mortensen, the "King" is character worth remembering. Mortensen followed up his Middle Earth appearances with a long list of roles that includes A History Of Violence, Captain Fantastic, and Green Book, which netted Danish-American actor an Oscar nomination for Best Actor in 2019. Mortensen recently made his directorial debut with Falling, a drama in which he stars alongside Lance Henriksen and Laura Linney.

Andy Serkis (Gollum)

Andy Serkis became a massive star after his gripping and frightening take on Gollum in Peter Jackson's Lord Of The Rings trilogy. Over the course of three movies, audiences loved and hated this oddly sympathetic character, making Serkis a household name in the process. The English actor has continued to be one of the busiest figures in the film industry since the conclusion of the trilogy 17 years ago, including appearances in Star Wars, the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and The Planet Of The Apes reboot trilogy. The actor and motion-capture mastermind is currently directing the thrilling Venom 2 and starring in The Batman, both of which instantly become better with Serkis attached.

Elijah Wood (Frodo Baggins)

Elijah Wood has been a name in Hollywood for about as long as I can remember. Even before he showed up as Frodo Baggins, nephew of Bilbo and carrier of the Ring, Wood was a major child actor and has continued to follow suit with some of the wildest roles in cinema. In recent years, Wood has shown up in everything from the 2019 psychdelic horror film Color Out Of Space to oddball dark comedy I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore, and just about every odd role in between.

Ian McKellen (Gandalf)

Throughout all of the Lord Of The Rings movies (and The Hobbit as well) Sir Ian McKellen kills it as the legendary wizard Gandalf (both grey and white). From the first time audiences catch an eye of Gandalf sitting atop a wagon of fireworks, it was easy to tell that there was a lot to love with this character. But it's not all fun and games with Gandalf, as the wizard proves to be powerful and stern throughout the journey to destroy the Ring once and for all. Much like Gandalf, McKellen has quite a track record, including his most recent appearances in The Good Liar, Ian McKellen On Stage, and Cats. Yes, Gandalf was in Cats.

Miranda Otto (Éowyn)

Introduced in The Lord Of The Rings: The Two Towers, Éowyn, a noblewoman from Rohan, quickly became one of the most badass characters in Peter Jackson's trilogy. Her role was expanded in The Return Of The King where she took on one of the nine Nightriders and gave the empowering line, "I am no man" as she cut him down. Miranda Otto, the Australian actress behind the role, has been quite busy in the years following her time in Middle Earth, including most recently in the Netflix series, Chilling Adventures Of Sabrina, where she portrays the young witch's aunt, Zelda.

Hugo Weaving (Elrond)

Elrond, one of the first of the Elves to be featured in the prologue of The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring, was one of the Elven leaders in Middle Earth who provided guidance and counsel for Aragorn and the rest of the Fellowship before and during the quest to destroy the Ring. Hugo Weaving, the man behind the role, is mostly known for the role of Agent Smith in The Matrix and its sequels, but the acclaimed actor has also appeared in V For Vendetta and Captain America: The First Avenger. Weaving is set to appear in three films in 2020: Measure For Measure, Loveland, and Lone Wolf, all three of which are in post-production.

Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee)

Sean Astin was already a star before he signed on to play Samwise Gamgee in The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring, mostly notably for his appearances in The Goonies, Encino Man, and Rudy to name a few. His take on Samwise, the friend and sidekick of main protagonist Frodo Baggins, brought a great deal of humor, charm, and surprisingly enough seriousness to the trilogy. Astin has remained busy over the years, including an amazing role as Bob Newby in Stranger Things. Astin is next set to appear in the American crime thriller Adverse at some point in 2020.

Sean Bean (Boromir)

Is there a movie/television show where Sean Bean doesn't die? Patriot Games, Goldeneye, Game Of Thrones, and countless others all feature some pretty gruesome deaths involving the English actor. Well, add The Lord Of The Rings to that list as Bean's character, Boromir, dies in the final moments of The Fellowship Of The Ring. This noble character was a far-stretch from some of Bean's previous roles and cutthroat and power-hungry villains, but laid the groundwork for his portrayal of the ill-fated Ned Stark in Game Of Thrones. Bean is currently set to appear in Posessor, a 2020 horror film from Brandon Cronenberg, the son of body horror legend David Cronenberg.

John Rhys-Davis (Gimli)

John Rhys-Davies is best well known for his role of Gimli, the foul-mouthed and strong-willed dwarven warrior who served as an instrumental member of the Fellowship of the Ring. The Welsh actor also known for his performance in Indiana Jones And The Last Crusade, has appeared in dozens of roles following his time in The Lord Of The Rings, including his spin at the Brine King in the 2018 DCEU blockbuster Aquaman.

Dominic Monaghan (Meriadoc Brandybuck)

Dominic Monaghan has been one of the most successful actors who achieved fame in The Lord Of The Rings. Featured in all three movies as the lovable and hilarious Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck, Monaghan, alongside Billy Boyd, brought some much-needed comedic relief to some of the trilogy's darkest moments. In the years following the release of The Return Of The King, Monaghan has starred in Lost, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, and Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker. And since 2012, Monaghan has even hosted his own nature series: Wild Things With Dominic Monaghan.

Billy Boyd (Pippin Took)

Wherever Merry went in The Lord Of The Rings, Pippin Took was sure to be right by his side or not far behind. Pippin, the fun-loving Hobbit with the voice of an angel worked his way into the hearts of millions of the trilogies fans thanks to that charm and innocence. Billy Boyd, the actor behind the famous character has had a successful acting and music career in the years following his appearances in The Lord Of The Rings, including a couple one-off performances on the hit fantasy series Outlander.

Ian Holm (Bilbo Baggins)

Actor Ian Holm had one hell of a career in the decades leading up to his portrayal of an older Bilbo Baggins in The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Ring, on the silver screen, on television sets around the world, and the stage. Holm would continue to add titles to his filmography in the years following his take on Bilbo, including Garden State, The Aviator, and The Hobbit, where he reprised his famous role. The English actor hasn't done much since he finished the filming of The Hobbit: The Battled Of The Five Armies, but at 88 years old, I don't blame him for taking it easy after all these years.

Well, that's what the cast of The Lord Of The Rings has been up to over the past 17 years. It's safe to say that each and every one of the actors who lent their talents to the legendary fantasy trilogy have been quite busy since then.

If Viggo Mortensen ever wins a lifetime achievement award at any of the major Hollywood award ceremonies, chances are, the character they focus on the most will be that of Aragorn from The Lord Of The Rings. Those three movies will probably go down as the actor's most notable appearances, but they're not all the Danish-American has to offer.

Throughout his lengthy career, Viggo Mortensen has given us some of the most fascinating characters. That got us thinking - what are some of Mortensen's best roles outside of his appearances in The Lord Of The Rings? To answer that question, we put together this list.

A History Of Violence (2005)

Fans of Viggo Mortensen's work in The Lord Of The Rings were in for a rude awakening when they went to see A History Of Violence in the fall of 2005. In David Cronenberg's adaptation of the 1997 graphic novel of the same name, Mortensen portrays Thomas "Tom" Stall, the owner of a small-town diner whose past catches back up with him after he confronts two robbers in self-defense.

Mortensen's portrayal of man caught between the past he thought he'd escaped and the family that knows nothing of the man he used to be makes for one of the most emotionally harrowing credits to the actor's name. The squeaky clean appearance and wholesome nature presented by the former Lord Of The Rings star throughout the early goings of this action thriller make what happens in the second half that much more unnerving. Hold on because this movie is an emotional and physical tour de force.

Eastern Promises (2007)

Viggo Mortensen and David Cronenberg would team up again two years later for Eastern Promises, a gangster film about a midwife by the name of Anna Ivanovna Khitrova (Naomi Watts) who discovers the baby of a teenage Russian prostitute who died in childbirth and learns that the mother was forced into prostitution by the Russian Mafia in London. Throughout this 2007 gangster thriller, Mortensen portrays Nikolai Luzhin, a "cleaner" for the Russian Mafia who takes it upon himself to protect both Anna and the child.

With traditional Russian gangster tattoos, a thick accent, and the physicality that would make even the most fearsome of Middle Earth's orcs shake in their boots, Mortensen puts on one of his best performances in this brutal piece of cinema. It should be no surprise that the actor was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor after this performance, especially after the fight scene in the bath house or the major revelation that is revealed following that iconic scene.

The Road (2009)

Personally, The Road is my favorite of all of Viggo Mortensen's performances. Based on Cormac McCarthy's Pulitzer Prize winning 2006 novel of the same name, this post-apocalyptic survival film was brought to life by celebrated music video director John Hillcoat. This 2009 adaptation tells the story of a father and his son (Kodi Smit-McPhee) as they try to make their way south after a global cataclysm has sent the world into disarray.

Throughout the bleak and intimate story of survival in the face of death, Mortensen's character is forced to do everything in his ability to protect the life of his young son and see that he makes it to safety. This is no easy task because all that is left of the gray and ash-covered landscape is full of empty cupboards, dire conditions, and bands of cannibalistic marauders. There are times where you hate the father and there are times where you understand his reasoning, but regardless of how you see the man, you feel and see the pain behind his eyes.

Crimson Tide (1995)

Viggo Mortensen finds himself stuck between a rock and a hard place aboard a nuclear submarine in the 1995 military nail biter that is Tony Scott's Crimson Tide. Starring alongside Denzel Washington as Lieutenant Commander Ron Hunter and Gene Hackman as Captain Frank Ramsey, Mortensen plays a small, yet vital role in his portrayal of Lieutenant Peter Ince, also known as WEPS for weapons officer.

The story becomes a battle of wills when Hunter and Ramsey disagree on how to proceed with a threat of a nuclear attack by a Russian separatist group, leaving the young Ince as the man in the middle how must make a decision whether to stand down or attack. While most of the crew of the USS Alabama loses their cool, Ince remains cool, calm, and collected as he tries to rationalize what is transpiring around him. Mortensen's quiet and stoic demeanor help bring this character alive in this tense military drama.

Captain Fantastic (2015)

In his 2015 family dramedy Captain Fantastic, writer and director Matt Ross (of Silicon Valley fame) asks the question - what would happen if a family who lived off the grid was forced to enter normal society? Well, this movie starring Viggo Mortensen as family patriarch Ben Cash answers that very question with a heartwarming and hilarious depiction of an isolation family who has to leave the comfort of their home in the wilderness after his wife and the mother of his children dies.

Throughout Captain Fantastic, which netted Mortensen a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor (his second), Ben Cash gives the other characters (and the movie's audience) more than enough opportunities to both love and loathe his unconventional and anarchistic ways of bringing up a family. Through confrontations with his father-in-law, Jack Bertang (Frank Langella) and his own children, Ben's worldview begins to shift to see that civilization isn't the evil beast he once thought it out to be. By the time everything is wrapped up, Ben is a new man.

Appaloosa (2008)

In 2008, Viggo Mortensen gave audiences one of his most subdued and violent performances in Appaloosa, a western based on the 2005 novel of the same name. Directed by Ed Harris, the film tells the story of lawman Virgil Cole (Ed Harris) and his deputy Everett Hitch (Viggo Mortensen) after they are hired to protect the small town of Appaloosa, New Mexico in the late 19th Century.

Although not as memorable as the last time the two actors shared the screen (A History Of Violence), Appaloossa tells a quiet and tense story of a small western town, the people who call it home, and the outlaws who see the town as their personal playground. Most of the action throughout the movie comes from interactions between Hitch and the ruffians on the other end of his shotgun. And when the girl he pines over (Renée Zellweger as Allie French) falls for Cole, Hitch hides his pain in his quiet resolve.

A Dangerous Method (2011)

Having not collaborated enough with their first two movies, Vigo Mortensen and David Cronenberg worked together for a third time in the 2011 historical drama, A Dangerous Method. Starring Mortensen as Carl Jung, Michael Fassbender as Sigmund Freud, and Keira Knightley as Sabina Spielrein, the film follows the three famed psychologists as they navigate their personal and professional lives on the heels of World War I.

Mortensen was nominated for the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor — Motion Picture for his portrayal of the founder of analytical psychology as he and his contemporaries travel about and develop the methods for their respective fields of psychology. And while A Dangerous Method lacks the explosive moments of violence found in previous two collaborations between the actor with Cronenberg, his period piece is just as cerebral and painful at times.

Green Book (2018)

There is a lot that can be said about the 2018 Academy Award-winning historical drama Green Book, but despite the controversy that surrounded this film upon its release, there's nothing that can take away from the electric performances from its two stars, Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali, who would take home the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.

In the movie, Mortensen plays Tony Lip, a New York City bouncer who is hired to be personal driver for acclaimed classic pianist Dr. Don Shirley on the musician's tour of the American south. What follows is a buddy road trip movie about two men from completely different backgrounds with totally different experiences learning from one another. And while the film does have some iffy moments sprinkled throughout, Mortensen and Ali do their best with the material.

G.I. Jane (1997)

Years before the world would come to know Viggo Mortensen for his performance in The Lord Of The Rings, he showed up in Ridley Scott's 1997 military drama G.I. Jane. The movie centers around Lieutenant Jordan O'Neil (Demi Moore) who is chose to participate in a trial of a program that would allow women to join the U.S. Navy. Through her training, O'Neil meets Mortensen's Master Chief John James Urgayle, who pushes her to brink of physical and mental exhaustion.

Mortensen goes most of the movie doing his best to mimic real life Navy drill sergeants, but begins to show his more tender side as he begins to respect O'Neil for her determination. This is even more evident after O'Neil saves Urgayle's life in the climax of this military action drama.

Hidalgo (2004)

And finally, there's Hidalago. Directed by Joe Johnston, this biographical epic follows the lives of famed long-distance rider Frank Hopkins, played by Viggo Mortensen, and his horse, Hidalgo, as they take part in the 3,000-mile "Ocean of Fire" race in the Najd desert.

The film was Mortensen's first feature after the release of the third and final installment of The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, and involved a lot of the same activities acted out by the actor in his previous role. Despite the similarities with horseback riding, Mortensen's Frank Hopkins is nothing like the Aragon we had come to know and love in the years prior to the film's release. Nevertheless, Hidalgo remains a fun, action-packed addition to the actor's filmography.

There are just 10 of Viggo Mortensen's roles that prove that he is more than just Arragon. Do you agree with our list or would you add something else? Let us know in the comments.

It has now been one week since Green Book was the surprise (to many) winner of the Best Picture Oscar. The film also won Best Original Screenplay and a Best Supporting Actor trophy for Mahershala Ali; Viggo Mortensen was nominated for Best Actor and the film was also nominated for Best Film Editing.

Green Book felt a box office boost around the world, including at the March 1-3 domestic box office. The film took #5 on this weekend's chart with $4.7 million, according to Box Office Mojo. That was a boost of 121.4% from when it placed #11 last week. It helps that the film played on 1,388 extra screens, to maximize the attention it just got at the Oscars.

Also, apparently China is into it? You never know what China -- the second biggest box office market in the world -- is going to like, but Deadline reports Green Book made $17.1 million there. That reportedly makes it the market's second-highest grossing Best Picture winner behind Titanic.

Green Book saw an "Oscar halo," as Deadline put it, of $31.9 million in 63 markets. At this point, Green Book has made $75,920,611 at the domestic box office and $112,100,000 at the foreign box office for a current combined total of $188,020,611.

Nearly $200 million off a reported production budget of $23 million is not too shabby!

It's also somewhat surprising, considering the controversy surrounding the film for several months. (Then again, it didn't hurt The Upside, so maybe controversy helps.)

In Green Book, Mahershala Ali plays real-life jazz pianist Don Shirley in the 1960s. But Shirley's family reportedly blasted the movie as "full of lies," saying it misrepresented his relationship with his family. They also said Shirley never considered Frank "Tony Lip" Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen) to be his friend, he was simply his employee as a chauffeur.

Actor Viggo Mortensen also faced backlash when he used the n-word during Green Book promotion, and he later apologized for that. The film has faced a lot of criticism for its storytelling, including accusations that it promoted the the white savior trope. So it was seen as ironic that it won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

Green Book has the lowest Rotten Tomatoes score (79%) since Crash, although it has been a hit with moviegoers (92% Audience Score). The film wasn't considered the frontrunner to win Best Picture going into the 91st annual Academy Awards, but it ended up a huge success for director and co-writer/co-producer Peter Farrelly.

Green Book will probably continue to pick up some decent money at the box office, and maybe crack $200 million as it rides this Oscar wave. As we wait to see where it goes from here, check out all the movies coming to theaters in 2019 in our handy schedule.

Think back to Natalie Portman in Black Swan, Hilary Swank in Million Dollar Baby, J.K. Simmons in Whiplash or, you know, Daniel Day Lewis in virtually every film he's ever made. This occurs during Green Book, with both Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali disappearing so seamlessly into their roles that you feel like you are watching the actual men on which this story is based. So while the story may be predictable, the performances never are, and they in turn elevate the material.

It's the 1960s in a racially divided United States of America. Frank "Tony Lip" Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen) earns paychecks bouncing rowdy patrons from Manhattan's famed Copacabana nightclub. But the establishment is about to shut down for renovations, meaning "Lip" needs to find a new line of work to provide for his caring wife, Dolores (Linda Cardellini), and cute kids.

Opportunity presents itself in the form of Donald Shirley (Mahershala Ali), celebrated concert pianist and acclaimed composer whose about to embark on a tour of the Deep South. Remember, though, that this is the 1960s, and the Civil Rights movement hasn't implemented much change in our society. Shirley needs a driver and a bodyguard, and he believes that Vallelonga is the right man for the job.

The Green Book of the title refers to an actual historical object, a guide that African Americans were asked to use when traveling to help them find establishments that allowed them to stay there. The South was still deeply segregated at the time of Don Shirley's tour, so both men knew they were likely going to encounter resistance. How they handle it becomes the driving force behind Green Book, the movie.

These events actually happened. The Green Book screenplay is co-written by Nick Vallelonga, son of "Tony Lip," and while it's likely been Hollywoodized to work as an intended crowd pleaser, these men really did stare down systematic racism to make a point -- that Donald Shirley deserved a place of honor in the very same establishments that he was being invited to play.

The lessons of Green Book are predictable, though that doesn't make them less worthy of retelling. Using the time-tested odd-couple format, the refined and distinguished Shirley transfers culture and dignity to the slovenly Vallelonga, while the latter teaches the pianist to appreciate pop musicians like Little Richard. The duo might not change too many minds in the backwoods South, but they rub off on each other in sweet and sentimental ways.

Side note: Director Peter Farrelly -- yes, one half of the comedy directors The Farrelly Brothers -- balances drama and comedy here, but too often succumbs to the "Ignorant Southerners" cliché, when it wasn't necessary. The portrayal of the South in segregated times is straight out of the Hollywood Playbook, making Green Book as subtle and nuanced as you might expect a movie by the director of Stuck on You and There's Something About Mary can be. While I could imagine that Don Shirley and Frank Vallelonga encountered resistance from Southern restaurants and clothing establishments who weren't ready to serve an African-American client, the fact that they meet stubborn bigots are every turn gets to be a little heavy-handed and on the nose in the otherwise dexterous Green Book.

That being said, the performances of the two men surpass any tonal missteps in Green Book, and are worthy of the price of admission to Peter Farrelly's movie. It's remarkable how good the actors are in their lead roles, considering they each nail polar-opposite portrayals. Mahershala Ali is quiet and calm in his space, calculating every movement and debating every turn of phrase so that Donald Shirley is a credible human character, not a stereotyped fussy snob. Ali also gets the film's most beautiful moment, when Shirley stands on the side of the road and sees Southern workers tending to a field. In the moment, he sees how close he might be to being in their spot. But they also see the possibility they have of eventually being in his spot, and all of this is conveyed with no dialogue.

On the flip side, it's nearly grotesque the length that Viggo Mortensen slips to physically play Frank "Tony Lip" Vallelonga. It's not just the weight gain (though that's significant). It's the absence of couth that we've come to accept from Mortensen, a stylish performer who embraces the street in every scene of this movie. It's a remarkable transformation, and one that will have him in a tuxedo on Oscar night, waiting to see if his name might be called as the winner of the Best Actor trophy.

It's a pleasure watching both men work here. Green Book may be shooting fish in a barrel as it tries to reach obvious conclusions regarding race relations. But the "fish" are still important, and the "barrel" is still relevant, more than 50 years after this story actually took place. And that's saying something.

Viggo Mortensen has apologized for using the n-word during a panel discussion of his film Green Book. The panel was attended by his co-star Mahershala Ali, who later said he accepted Mortensen's apology. After Mortensen's initial comment was met with surprise and criticism, he issued this statement:

As Variety noted, Viggo Mortensen had used the n-word as an example of speech that's no longer common. The context is tied to his film Green Book, which is set in the Deep South in the 1960s. Mahershala Ali plays Jamaican-American pianist Don Shirley, with Mortensen as a mob enforcer serving as the world class pianist's security.

No one appears to be questioning Viggo Mortensen's intention, but he now regrets his choice of words during the ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood screening.

Green Book, directed by Peter Farrelly, has had nothing but positive attention up to this point. It was a surprise winner of the Audience Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, immediately launching into into Oscars contention.

So while Mahershala Ali is not happy with his co-star's word choice, he is also not willing to let this moment distract from the film and the intended message. Ali shared his own statement, accepting Viggo Mortensen's apology, while making it clear the use of the full n-word was "hurtful" and wrong:

Mahershala Ali continued (via Variety) by saying the use of the full n-word within the black community is already debated, and its usage should continue to be examined within the black community.

Mahershala Ali already has an Oscar for Moonlight, and he could win again for Green Book. Viggo Mortensen currently has two Academy Award nominations under his belt for Eastern Promises and Captain Fantastic. Green Book will expand its release in theaters November 21. Here's the full 2018 fall movie release schedule.

Buzz. It's something every film is trying to secure during the annual Oscar race, and one of the best ways for a movie to build it is by being good. Really, it's that simple. Word-of-mouth drives the strongest Oscar campaigns, for when some people see a movie and determine that it's good, ore people want to see it. And maybe reward it with Oscars. To that end, the winner of the Audience Award at the Toronto International Film Festival walks away with its fair share of buzz on which it can build, and this year's winner is Peter Farrelly's Green Book.

What? Not A Star is Born, with powerhouse pop sensation Lady Gaga and her grizzled first-time director Bradly Cooper? Not Ryan Gosling's moon-reaching drama First Man? Nope, this year, according to TIFF, the audiences in Toronto cast their vote for a crowd-pleaser starring Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali that social media said played like Slumdog Millionaire at the Canadian film fest. In other words, like gangbusters:

Now, it's also worth noting that the last two Best Picture winners, The Shape of Water and Moonlight, did NOT take home the Audience prize in Toronto. So yeah, statistics can work for you AND against you, depending on what point that you want to make. But coming out of the fall film festival circuit, when hundreds of films are screened for thousands of audience members, the best that a film can be is relevant, and a trophy like the Audience Award at TIFF raises awareness in ways that a marketing campaign might not.

What is Green Book about? Set in 1962, the film casts Mahershala Ali as a renowned pianist embarking on a musical tour through the Deep South, accompanied by a driver/bouncer (Viggo Mortensen) expected to guide him along the way. Naturally, because it's the South in the Sixties, the two men encounter severe racism, but they each learn something important about the points-of-view of each others' worlds through the experience. Check out the Green Book trailer:

The buzz swirling around Green Book centered on Mahershala Ali, who supposedly is fantastic as the gifted pianist suffering fools in the name of blatant racism. But there's extra attention being paid to Peter Farrelly, one half of the infamous Farrelly Brothers (Dumb & Dumber) who is breaking away from his usual mold to tackle more important topics. Could this mean some awards attention for the man behind Shallow Hal, as well? (I can see the headline "There's Something About Oscar" as we speak...)

Green Book will be in theaters on November 21.

With the summer movie season now starting to wind down following the release of movies like Mission: Impossible - Fallout and The Meg, the time has come to look ahead to the more prestigious time of the year. Studios have begun selling their potential Oscar films, and Universal's Green Book looks like it could be a major contender in that category. In fact, a trailer for the movie has hit the web, and it features some powerhouse performances from Moonlight's Mahershala Ali and Captain Fantastic's Viggo Mortensen. Check it out, below, to see the first look at the film for yourself!

We weren't kidding when we noted that it looked powerful, were we? Based on a true story, Green Book centers on a rough-around-the-edges white mob enforcer (Viggo Mortensen) tasked with driving a world-class black pianist (Mahershala Ali) through the American south during the height of the Civil Rights movement in the early 1960s. Though they initially know very little about each other at the beginning of the journey, they eventually learn to work together and understand their respective struggles.

One of the most interesting elements of the development and production of Green Book is the talent that has signed on to bring it to life. Specifically, the film has enlisted Peter Farrelly to direct, which is a major change of pace for the filmmaker. Farrelly is mostly known for gross-out comedies like Dumb & Dumber, and There's Something About Mary, so for Green Book to get him to jump genres like this could potentially indicate that there's something very special lurking in this story.

Of course, it is impossible to address the story of Green Book without homing in on the fact that it seems to tackle some serious issues of race and bigotry. These topics have become particularly fertile ground for movies to explore. In recent years we have seen films like Get Out, Straight Outta Compton, and Loving (to name a select few) achieve critical and commercial success by taking unflinching approaches to these topics, and Green Book could do the same for 2018. Couple that with the fact that Green Book is lined up to hit theaters in November (which is prime time for films to bait The Oscars), and it becomes clear that Universal may have a potential winner on its hands for the most prestigious time of the year in the movie world.

Make sure to stay tuned for more updates related to Green Book as further information about the movie is made available to us. The film is set to debut in theaters later this year on November 21, so mark it down on your moviegoing calendars and check out our 2018 movie premiere guide to learn more about all of this year's significant release dates!

Seventeen years ago, Bryan Singer's X-Men changed the way we looked at comic book adaptations, as it undid a lot of the damage that Batman & Robin had done to the still growing genre back in 1997. Part of that movie's success is, without a doubt, thanks to Hugh Jackman, who was then an up-and-coming actor that landed the role of a life time: Wolverine. Now, we can't picture anyone else playing the role, but in that pre-watershed era of history, there were others who were considered for the duty of popping claws and screaming out in berserker rage.

Some of the men that were sought after for the role were natural choices, while others are quite off the beaten path. All would have brought something unique to the role, and all 13 are going to be revealed throughout this list. So keep an open mind, and get ready to imagine several different futures past, as the following line-up could be considered Wolverines of alternate timelines.

Bob Hoskins

We'd previously reported that X-Men comic writer Chris Claremont had a specific choice for Wolverine, and his was a rather unconventional, but still badassed choice. He thought that esteemed actor /hard case Bob Hoskins could have been a great Wolvie for the silver screen. Since Claremont wrote the X-Men during the period of 1975 and 1991, we're going to assume that his vision of Hoskins as Wolverine was more inspired by The Long Good Friday and less Super Mario Bros. Which would have been totally sweet, considering his reputation stemming from that film.

Russell Crowe

Bryan Singer must really like Australian actors, as he reportedly selected Russell Crowe as his original choice to take the part of Wolverine for 2000's X-Men. At least, that's what the trivia on IMDb has to say, and it names a lot of actors that were in the running. Though this potential casting was also mentioned by Hollywood.com, Uproar Comics, and NotStarring.com. Now keep in mind, this was peak Crowe, coming off of the era of L.A. Confidential and The Insider, which saw him go onto play Maximus in Ridley Scott's Gladiator. Of course, seeing as both projects released months apart from each other in 2000, we're to assume Crowe dropped Marvel's pet project for the Oscar-winning juggernaut. But he did win an Oscar, make friends with Ridley, and suggest Hugh Jackman for the role instead of himself. So, while the prospect could have been awesome, it clearly wasn't the end of the world.

Glenn Danzig

X-Men didn't happen overnight, as it was being developed through a good portion of the late '90s at 20th Century Fox. So, with a lot of time, comes a lot of choices, and both NotStarring.com and Uproar Comics have mentioned that rocker Glenn Danzig was one of the big choices the studio had. Of course, this was before a director / producer had been decided on. But, the dealbreaker was naturally the clause in his contract that would have kept him on the set of X-Men for long enough that his touring days would have to be postponed. Which is a shame, because the dude totally could have made Wolverine his own, and might have launched his impressive physique into a slew of action franchises afterwards.

Aaron Eckhart

This is probably the first name on this list that'll raise some eyebrows, and stumbling upon his name both on IMDb and Hollywood.com's lists certainly threw us for a loop. It's not that Aaron Eckhart is a bad actor, or that he's a puny mortal. But if we had to choose a factor that didn't work in his favor, despite being a studio favorite, is that he was probably seen as too small for the role of Wolverine. But then again, the comparison of Eckhart to Hugh Jackman is probably what's throwing us off, because other than that factor, his quiet range and physicality should have been a good fit.

Jean-Claude Van Damme

Now here's a pick that could have been pretty close to what Hugh Jackman brought to the role of Wolverine, and it's been recorded by Hollywood.com and IMDb. Jean-Claude Van Damme, the "Muscles from Brussels," could have matched the stature of Jackman's peak physique, if not exceeded them. However, if Van Damme was cast for X-Men as 20th Century Fox had wanted, we might have seen a faster moving Wolverine, rather than the brawler that Jackman's incarnation embodied. Also, his accent would have probably had everyone wishing he'd been cast as Gambit anyway, and that would have been amazingly distracting.

Viggo Mortensen

When it came to casting Wolverine, Fox had a bit of a wandering eye. And yet, that eye did settle on the man who would be king of Middle-Earth, Viggo Mortensen, just as he was rising in profile and stature. His running for the role has been reported on all four of the lists we've sourced. While he could have made an interesting choice, we have a feeling that he might have been a bit too "quiet" for the studio's tastes, as he really didn't have a lot of action under his belt. Though that certainly didn't stop him from getting cast in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, so again, the universe worked things out for the best.

Edward Norton

Time for another oddball choice, folks! Also sitting on the 20th Century Fox shortlist was none other than Edward Norton, with Hollywood.com and IMDb listing him in the running, and even NotStarring.com putting him down for both Wolvie and Cyclops. Primal Fear and American History X did a lot of great things for the man's career, and his up-and-comer status probably put him on the list due to his severely fantastic acting chops. But alas, Norton turned down the opportunity to audition, and probably for the same reason we're thinking: there's no way in hell anyone would have bought Edward Norton as Wolverine. You can only imagine someone so jacked before it becomes ridiculous, and Norton probably saw that before anyone else did (even if he would go on to play the Hulk later... sort of).

Thomas Jane

While Hugh Jackman IS The Wolverine, hearing that Thomas Jane was being considered, at least according to Hollywood.com, to play Logan in Bryan Singer's X-Men is something that just sounds like it could have been magic. With both Deep Blue Sea and Boogie Nights under his belt, the man showed to the world he could rock action moves as easily as he could grow hair. Sadly, unspecified "contract issues" prevented Jane from even trying out for the role, which might have been for the better, because he was one hell of a Punisher.

Keanu Reeves

The oddball parade continues, as IMDb and NotStarring.com have both shown that 20th Century Fox was keen on signing Keanu Reeves to play Wolverine during their massive scrum to put X-Men into production. Again, the same possible problems with Jean-Claude Van Damme would have reared their head with Reeves, as his work on The Matrix probably wowed the executives, but would have inspired a more fast paced "wire fu" approach to Logan's fighting style. Plus, shades of Edward Norton would have shown themselves, as Reeves could only get so jacked before you realized it just wasn't a good fit.

Johnny Depp

When you see Johnny Depp on a casting list, it's going to be a polarized experience. There's no in-between, as Depp's casting in projects tends to be either spot on brilliant, or just plain loony. In the case of X-Men's Wolverine, you can cue up the circus music, as it would have been absolutely absurd to have cast Johnny Depp as the Canadian mutant. Perhaps the strangest thing about Depp's supposed casting is that NotStarring.com's list seems to be the only one that mentions his candidacy. Though when you think about it, he could have made an interesting pre-Alan Cumming Nightcrawler. So maybe that's how that train got started to begin with.

Gary Sinise

If there was anyone harder to evaluate than Gary Sinise for the role of Wolverine, we're having a hard time finding them. It shows in the fact that Hollywood.com, IMDb and Uproar Comics all have him named on their lists of Wolverines that could have been, and it's not a terrible fit. On one hand, he would have been a little over a decade older than Hugh Jackman when he first stepped into the role, which wouldn't have lent itself to the longevity that Jackman has had with the role. But on the other hand, we can imagine what Sinise would have looked and sounded like in full, primal rage mode, and it will remain one of history's greatest "what if's."

Mel Gibson

Now we enter what could be considered the "Hall of Fame" of Wolverine choices. As the casting search wound down, Mel Gibson's name came up in Fox's search for burly fighting men that could don Adamantium claws and wreck shop. And in the case of Gibson, he was featured in a round of concept art that the producers got their hands on, and MovieWeb made public knowledge. But, for one reason or another, Mel's Wolverine was never meant to be. Though considering he also turned down playing Thor's dad, yet somehow has entertained talks to direct Suicide Squad 2, we think that he might be more of a D.C. Comics guy.

Dougray Scott

Ok, so picture this: you're hand-picked by Tom Cruise to be the villain in Mission: Impossible 2 AND Bryan Singer wants you for his X-Men movie. Pretty sweet line-up, isn't it? At least, it would be, until you're forced to choose between the two posts, which is exactly what happened to Dougray Scott. While Scott was cast as The Wolverine, his time on the Mission: Impossible 2 set was prolonged due to a production overrun. Which lead to Scott unfortunately having to drop the role, allowing some newcomer to pick up the mantle after him. Something tells us he was kicking himself for his decision once X-Men opened to massive acclaim.

It's been 15 years since The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of The Ring made its way into theaters, as well as our hearts. After all of those years, the actors who brought to life J.R.R. Tolkien's landmark literary fantasy, with the help of Peter Jackson's sterling direction, have gone on to other gigs that have put distance between them and Middle Earth. But if they were confronted with a Cave Troll, could they dust off their skills and defend themselves? That's the question that's best left answered by the following video:

You can thank an Orlando Bloom fan account on Instagram for the footage above, which came from a reunion of Bloom and co-stars Elijah Wood, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan and Viggo Mortensen. As you can see, with the simple prompt of defending themselves against a cave troll, the gang sprang back into action as if it were the first day on the next chapter of the Lord of the Rings saga. Except that there isn't another chapter, and this looks more like the first day of rehearsal than actual production.

Still, you could probably make a good chunk of change from a theatrical release of this caliber. No purpose or reason was given for the reunion, which took place just yesterday. However, getting Bloom together with his LOTR brethren isn't exactly something that needs much prompting. With the well documented history of the gang being consummate friends and pranksters, any gathering of the Fellowship of the Ring is bound to have laughter and tomfoolery.

Despite the mixed reaction to The Hobbit trilogy, The Lord of the Rings still holds a special place in the hearts of fans and movie-goers alike. Up until that point, it looked like a proper adaptation of Tolkien's epic trilogy wouldn't ever happen, but lucky for the world, Peter Jackson took the reins and hired a cast as well equipped as this one. While it's funny to see part of the gang together again, it's also a fond reminder of just how good those movies actually were, as this crew always worked as hard as they played.

If only Viggo Mortensen could bring his entire Lord of the Rings family with him on Oscar night, as he'll be awaiting the news of whether or not he's won the Best Actor trophy for Captain Fantastic. Not only would it be a great morale booster for the man himself, it'd also be a hell of a ratings grabber if they're allowed to clown around periodically on stage. For now though, we'll have to settle for this reunion and our copies of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, which you can find on Blu-ray and Digital HD pretty much anywhere.

There's little question that Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films form one of the most epic and grand franchises in the history of cinema. To this day, each of the three installments hold up insanely well, as it's abundantly clear that everyone involved brought their A-game to the production. There's just a palpable intensity to every single performance. As it turns out, the cast brought that same level of intensity to their on-set pranks. Actor Dominic Monaghan explained:

I think he might be confusing the terms "prank" and "assault," but that's none of my business. During a recent Reddit AMA session, Dominic Monaghan addressed a particular fan question regarding fun on-set pranks conducted by his fellow Lord of the Rings stars. Apparently Viggo Mortensen became quite fond of viciously and violently head-butting his co-stars, to the point where he almost knocked Monaghan out. Aragorn may have used a giant sword as his trademark weapon during the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but Viggo Mortensen could probably handle himself in a fight using nothing more than his cranium.

It seems that the pranking did not end with the conclusion of the trilogy at the end of Return of the King. Dominic Monaghan reportedly saw Viggo Mortensen quite recently, and (you guessed it) his first instinct was to deliver one of their trademark head-butts. That's what friends are supposed to do, right?

Check out a behind-the-scenes featurette from the Lord of the Rings in which most of the cast talks about how foolishly fond they all are of the practice:

I think we can all agree that the fondness with which they recall head-butting one another is nothing if not disconcerting. That being said, we cannot argue with their results.

One thing is absolutely certain: this adds a new layer of depth to the dynamic of the performers of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. This story also confirms one other thing that I never thought I would have to learn: stay the hell away from Viggo Mortensen whenever he finds himself in the mood for a good, old-fashioned prank, otherwise you're going to get head smashed.

Viggo Mortenson has admitted that he held discussions with a producer to return as Aragorn in The Hobbit trilogy. Unfortunately for Lord Of The Rings fans, though, this chat failed to evolve beyond words, and Peter Jackson was unable to find room for the beloved character in the prequel series.

Viggo Mortenson made this admission to The Independent while promoting the release of Captain Fantastic over in the United Kingdom. Discussing his role in The Lord of the Rings movies and how Aragorn almost made an appearance in The Hobbit movies, Mortenson revealed that he did have talks about reprising his most famous role, but that ultimately things didn't work out. Said the actor,

After clearing the air during the same interview over his quotes from 2014 that suggested he'd previously had a dig at Peter Jackson, Viggo Mortenson made it perfectly clear that he still holds the Academy Award winning filmmaker in nothing but the highest regard. This then led Mortenson to explain about just how close he came to returning as Aragorn in The Hobbit films, even though his character isn't in the books and he would have been an infant. And while, in the grand scheme of things, he wasn't actually that near to portraying the character again, it's still tantalising to think of how he could have been squeezed in.

It's also superb to hear just how eager Viggo Mortenson is reprise the role of Aragorn, who when we last left him in Lord Of The Rings: Return Of The King had been crowned as the King Elessar Telcontar of Gondor, married Arwen (Liv Tyler), and then united the two kingdoms. That was a pretty happy ending for the character with a pretty firm conclusion, but apparently the actor isn't necessarily ready to leave the character behind entirely.

Obviously, because of the huge success of The Lord Of The Rings trilogy, there's always going to be a desire for some kind of spin-off. But while most actors wouldn't want to risk ruining the reputation of their previous portrayals, Viggo Mortenson is clearly aware of the scope of J.R.R. Tolkein's world and that there's still plenty more story left to tell. That being said, considering the roles and films that he's taken on since, it's a little surprising to hear that he still has a hankering for Aragorn. A History Of Violence, Easter Promises, The Road, A Dangerous Method, and now Captain Fantastic have been much smaller productions that allowed him to stretch these characters down avenues that mainstream blockbusters usually avoid.

If he could do that again with Aragorn in an extra Lord Of The Rings film then that's something that a huge amount of people would be interesting in seeing. It's just a shame that, 16 years on from The Return Of The King, the likelihood of that happening is incredibly remote.

This past Friday saw some big forward movement for Paul Greengrass' upcoming untitled Bourne 5, with it being revealed that Julia Stiles will be back to reprise her role as Nicky Parsons in the film. Obviously that won't be the end of the casting process, however, and there's news that the project is looking to add an absolutely fantastic actor to play the film's villain: Viggo Mortensen.

A reporter from The Wrap has the scoop on this development, revealing the news on his personal Twitter account. As you can probably guess from the source of this news, there aren't a ton of details available about the character - though there's definitely a suggestion that this is hardly a done deal. Instead, the message merely says that Mortensen has been "offered" the part of the Bourne 5 antagonist, and it's unclear if he's looking to sign on, or even potentially interested in the project.

We we last saw Matt Damon's Jason Bourne at the end of The Bourne Ultimatum, he had discovered is real name - David Webb - and narrowly escaped with his life after exposing the highly unethical activities of Operation Blackbriar. As a result of this, two of the franchise's top villains, Albert Finney's Dr. Albert Hirsch and David Strathairn's Noah Vosen, were taken into custody, and a criminal investigation was launched into the actions of Scott Glenn's Ezra Kramer a.k.a. the Director of the CIA. This begs the question... who could this potentially-Viggo Mortensen-looking villain be? Will he be another government official higher up the ladder that Bourne needs to take down? Or will he be another trained assassin?

Viggo Mortensen gained notoriety largely thanks to his heroic roles - most notably in the Lord of the Rings and movies like A History Of Violence and Eastern Promises - but playing a villain in a franchise like Bourne could be a great move for him. Given his past work, hopefully it will be a film that allows him to go toe-to-toe with Matt Damon in a fight scene, though I could see him also generating a lot of tension and drama from a powerful government seat. Regardless of what kind of villain he might be playing, he would be a great addition to the series.

In addition to Matt Damon and Julia Stiles, Bourne 5 will also feature Alicia Vikander, who garnered a great deal of critical praise earlier this year for her performance in Alex Garland's Ex Machina. Universal Pictures has already carved out a release date for the project, July 29, 2016, and that means that production on the movie - which is being written by Damon and Paul Greengrass - should be entering into production soon. As such, you should be on the lookout for more news about this sequel soon!

It’s probably safe to say that Quentin Tarantino’s upcoming return to the neo-spaghetti-western genre, The Hateful Eight has an obscenely impressive cast. Yet rumors from about six months back teased the possible addition of another key cast member with the powerfully insightful Viggo Mortensen. Unfortunately for the film, that casting never came to fruition. Now, Mortensen, himself reveals the story behind that rumor and why he wasn’t able to hop on board the film.

In an interview with Grantand, Viggo Mortensen would finally address the rumor from last year that implied he was meeting with director, Quentin Tarantino about a possible role in The Hateful Eight described as "a ruthless gang leader." While confirming that said meeting did, in fact, take place, Mortensen reveals that scheduling conflicts prevented him from taking the role. As Mortensen explains,

It’s kind of a shame that Mortensen wasn’t able to work out the planning logistics, since a role as an apparent villain in this much-publicized Tarantino film could have been a real mainstream revival for the actor. Of course, after his iconic, regal and mega-successful performance as Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the movie business was looking to be Mortensen’s proverbial oyster. He parlayed that into the 2004 big-budget adventure flick, Hidalgo, which, ultimately was a disaster at the box-office which even green ghosts fulfilling oaths to the King of Gondor could not save. Since then, his career has taken a remarkably un-Hollywood direction, focusing on pathos-heavy projects films like A History of Violence, Appaloosa and The Road.

While Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight might have been a return of sorts to the world of big-budget popcorn flicks, the film also seems to be a return to a type of insular dramatic action like the director’s aforementioned Reservoir Dogs that may better suit Mortensen’s contemporary career. While the film also seems to carry itself as a hybrid of a western and a heist film, the description will have the bounty hunter characters, in a move not unlike Reservoir Dogs, converge and take refuge in one place in the aftermath of the action. While the bounty hunters will likely vie for a prize captive played by Jennifer Jason Leigh, the "ruthless gang leader" that Mortensen could have played may have had the potential to steal the show as what may have been the film’s defined villain. It's something that Mortensen clearly laments in the interview when says that he wished the film "would have worked out."

With a cast consisting of Samuel L. Jackson, Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Channing Tatum, Tim Roth, Bruce Dern, Zoe Bell, Walton Goggins, Demian Bichir, and Michael Madsen, just to name a few, it’s clear that the addition of an intense, maniacal performance by Viggo Mortensen would have been the icing on this already delicious-sounding cake of a film. However, he’s got other projects to worry about…and a Kingdom to run.

The Hateful Eight finally recovers from its early conceptual drama to win the West in cool Tarantino style later this fall on November 13.

If you asked 100 Star Wars fans what the best of the movies is, I suspect 90 would probably say The Empire Strikes Back. That’s a hell of a lot closer to a consensus than you would get for Lord Of The Rings, but to actor Viggo Mortensen, it’s not even really close. For him, The Fellowship Of The Ring is the clear choice. Why? Because he thinks the second and third movies were overwhelmed by special effects and lost all subtlety because of it.

Speaking in a frank and honest interview with The Telegraph, Mortensen outlines exactly how he feels the second and third movies became overwhelmed by technology. All three movies were shot back-to-back with the assumption being that the second and third flicks would require some reshoots. According to Mortensen, however, Return Of The King and The Two Towers were way more of a mess than people thought following the initial shoot. Had the first one not been a huge hit, the actor thinks Lionsgate would have burned them both off straight-to-DVD rather than give director Peter Jackson the money he needed to finish them. Since it was a gigantic hit, however, he was given way more money than he needed. So, he started using it on new equipment and visual effects, some of which were unnecessary and took away from the award-winning finished product.

In addition, Viggo Mortensen apparently thinks the script for The Fellowship Of The Ring was "better organized" and clearer, which led to a superior finished product. He’s not wrong on that count. The later movies meander a little bit more, but like the necessity for increased CGI, a lot of that is directly related to the material he was given. If you watch the extended additions, you can tell how much great material that is story relevant wound up getting cut.

Of course, these comments shouldn’t come as a shock to those who have followed Mortensen’s career closely. Apart from Hidalgo, which we’ll give him a Get Out Of Jail Free card on, he’s mostly chosen low-key movies that are gritty and down to Earth. He’s a brilliant actor, and he clearly prefers the standard method of working through scenes with other heavyweights you can play off of, as opposed to acting opposite CGI-ed monsters.

As for Jackson, he’s mostly chosen projects have allowed him to rely heavily on technology. As such, something tells me he has no qualms with how much CGI he used for Lord Of The Rings’ latter two films.

At some point, I’d love to be able to report on a story involving Viggo Mortensen joining a screwball comedy in which he plays the funniest man on Earth, but his career has just featured a string of characters that are either caught up in the aftermath of some devastating event, or they’re actually going through said devastating event. To be expected, the Oscar-nominated actor won’t be changing things up with Captain Fantastic, the Electric City Entertainment drama in which Mortensen is in talks to take the lead. If only this were a superhero film, or a big screen version of the interstitial character from Do Not Adjust Your Set. Oh well.

The film’s description, via Deadline, doesn’t go into much detail, but it paints a somewhat solemn picture of adaptation in the modern world. Mortensen will play a man whose idealism led him to live in complete isolation with his six children in the forests of the Pacific Northwest. After a decade of this amenity-free lifestyle, he and his family have to return to the modern world, which will of course be quite a jarring adjustment. It’s an interesting concept, and one that will no doubt include a scene where someone in the family is blown away by smartphone technology.

This will be the second film from director Matt Ross, who also penned the screenplay, and it’s quite a step away from his first film, the one night stand romantic drama 28 Hotel Room. Check out the trailer for that film below to get a sense of Ross’ talent behind the camera.

Ross has been acting for years, and you may remember him as one of Patrick Bateman’s smarmy friends in American Psycho. He holds quite a bit of respect for Mortensen and says that getting to collaborate with him is "quite literally the best thing that’s happened to me since my wife asked me to marry her." You gotta love that kind of jubilance.

Mortensen isn’t what you’d call a prolific actor, rarely taking on more than one film a year, with his last films, Ana Piterbarg’s crime drama Everybody Has a Plan and Walter Salles’ adaptation On the Road, both coming in 2012. 2014 could be his busiest year in ages, though, as he’ll star in Hossein Amini’s crime drama The Two Faces of January, David Oelhoffen’s French war drama Far From Men and the untitled next drama from filmmaker Lisandro Alonso.

Filming on Captain Fantastic is set to begin this summer.

While many of his Lord of the Rings cast mates have been eagerly returning to the world of J.R.R. Tolkien for Peter Jackson's Hobbit trilogy, Viggo Mortensen has ventured away from Middle Earth and into a string of darker adaptations. From David Cronenberg's A History of Violence to John Hillcoat's The Road to the upcoming adaptation of Jack Kerouac's On the Road, Mortensen has been delivering one powerful performance after another while staying away from the kind of fantastical tales that made him a star. Now we have a first look at his latest adaptation, The Two Faces of January.

The film marks the directorial debut of Drive screenwriter Hossein Amini. Based on the Patricia Highsmith novel of the same name The Two Faces of January centers on a strange trio made up of three Americans who become entangled in covering up the murder of a police officer in Greece. This image tweeted by Blog Du Cinema (via The Playlist) shows the feature's three stars, Mortensen, Kirsten Dunst and Drive's Oscar Isaac.

The novel came out in 1964, and the costumes seen above suggest Amini has stayed true to this time. In the film Mortensen will play fortysomething con artist Chester MacFarland, who kills the aforementioned cop. Dunst will portray his wife Colette, and Isaac is tackling the role of Rydal Keener, a Greek-speaking American student who helps the two flee from Greece to Istanbul.

The Two Faces of January is now in production. The film will shoot on location in Greece and Turkey, before wrapping up with studio shoots in London. It's expected to hit theaters in 2013.

After Viggo Mortensen walked away from the negotiations table at the end of last month, it looked for some time that Universal's big-budget project Snow White and the Huntsman might be able to snag an even bigger star to replace him, thanks to reports that Hugh Jackman was interested in the role. But now that contingency plan has fallen through as well-- The Wrap reports that negotiations with Jackman have ended after starting last week.

That leaves the film without either of the two leads in place-- though Kristen Stewart has been in mind for the part of Snow White for months, her deal is not yet confirmed. The only actor truly in place is Charlize Theron, who has signed on to play the Evil Queen in the film that Rupert Sanders will direct. Remember not to confuse this with the other movie based on the same fairy tale, simply titled Snow White, which will star Lily Collins and Armie Hammer and be directed by The Fall's Tarsem Singh.

All signs point to Universal moving ahead with the planned August shoot and December 21, 2012 release date for Snow White and the Huntsman, but they're going to have to wrangle some other handsome dark-haired actors to jump on board quickly. Mortensen reportedly walked away due to salary concerns, and it's unclear why Jackman also bailed, though it's possible that means there's new life in The Wolverine, the superhero project Jackman presumably has to make as soon as they line up a director.

Poor Zack Snyder is out there right now just trying to promote his new film Sucker Punch, but inevitably any time he sits down with a journalist the conversation turns to Superman. Snyder has done a good job keeping mum about details for his upcoming reboot of the superhero story, but he did manage to at least do some damage control on a rumor that was already out there. Talking to Latino Review, Snyder confirmed that Viggo Mortensen will not be appearing in the film as General Zod, contrary to a rumor that surfaced in late February.

Even at the time the story was that Mortensen would likely have to turn down the role thanks to his commitment to Snow White and the Huntsman at Universal; while Snyder made no mention of that, he told LR "Viggo is not going to be in the movie let’s say that right now." Even if it's just to refute a rumor that didn't seem all that likely to begin with-- we're not even sure that Zod is in the movie, much less who will play him-- it's nice to see Snyder actually able to say anything about the film. Once Sucker Punch opens on Friday he'll be able to carry on in post-production in peace, and despite all of our best efforts to catch him at a junket, that's probably when the real Superman news will start coming out.

On May 17, 2013, fans of The Dark Tower will finally get what they've been waiting years to see: a feature film. First announced back in April, the project is being planned as a trilogy with a television series that will tie the movies to one another. Ron Howard is already set to direct both the first film and the season of the television series, but the question that's on everybody's mind is who they will get to play the central protagonist, Roland Deschain. Well, Howard has a few names for you to chew on.

Speaking with The Los Angeles Times about the project, Howard wasn't shy when it came to the topic of casting. According to the article, Howard "nodded" when names like Daniel Craig, Hugh Jackman and Jon Hamm came up in conversation. As to who the director likes, Howard mentioned that Viggo Mortensen, already beloved by fantasy fans for his portrayal of Aragorn The Lord of the Rings movies, is the number one choice amongst fansites. He didn't, however, seem to commit to any of them.

In reality, amongst those names only Mortensen really works. The Dark Tower, as they are approaching it, promises to be a massive scale production that will eat up years of the lead actor's career. With MGM back in action and very real possibility that The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo will spawn sequels, Craig's dance card is filled with portrayals of James Bond and Mikael Blomkvist. While Darren Aronofsky has called The Wolverine a "one off," it likely won't be the last time that Jackman grows out his sideburns. As for Hamm, the idea of doing a movie whilst also being on a television show is hard enough, but to be the lead in a trilogy and the star of an adjacent television program? That's just impossible for the Mad Men star. I'm sure there are other names out there, but let's just leave it at this: if the fans want Viggo, go and get Viggo.

Cronenberg, Fassbender, Mortensen, Knightly,Freud and Jung. What do all of those words have in common? They look incredibly awesome when put together in a plot synopsis and that's exactly what A Dangerous Method has done. An adaptation of the play The Talking Cure, the film is about the relationship between Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung when a female patient enters their lives. Thus far we've seen some on-set video from the film and some set photos, but now we get our first official look at the film.

Spanish website Soypelopo82 has received the first three stills from the film that feature all of the main players. It's actually somewhat scary how well Fassbender and Mortensen fit their respective parts. While the film has completed filming and has entered post-production, it doesn't have a US distributor just yet so it may be a little while until we actually get to see it (think last quarter of 2011, this one is aimed for award season).

Scope out the photos below and head over to Soypelopo82 to see them full size.

(via The Playlist)

Walter Salles' upcoming adaptation of On the Road just took a big leap forward. Deadline says Viggo Mortensen and Amy Adams have been hired to help bring Jack Kerouc’s story to life. They join a cast already comprised of Kirsten Dunst, Kristen Stewart, Sam Riley, and Tron: Legacy’s Garret Hedlund. The addition of Mortensen and Adams, even in supporting roles, suddenly makes the whole thing seem a lot more credible.

How much actual impact they’ll have in the movie remains to be seen, but Mortensen in particular isn’t the kind of guy who takes a paycheck for something he doesn’t believe in. In the movie he’ll play “Old Bull Lee” while Adams plays Lee’s emotionally damaged, junkie wife and mother of two Jane.

Kerouac’s novel defined an entire generation of American kids struggling to come to grips with life after World War II in the fifties. Salles has a hard road ahead of him, if he hopes to find a way for his road movie to achieve even half as much.