“You only see it for a few seconds”: an emblematic accessory of the Lord of the Rings is hidden in this western released 1 year ago

While rumors evoke a possible return from Aragorn to the future film centered on Gollum, scheduled for 2026, Viggo Mortensen has not fully shot the page of the Lord of the Rings. In the end of the world, his last feature film, released in 2023, the most attentive spectators will be able to identify a well-known object of fans: the andúril sword.

Since the end of his adventure in the field of the world, Viggo Mortensen Having moved away from the big Hollywood productions, preferring to invest in a more independent cinema and collaborating with recognized directors like Tony Scott, Brian de Palma or David Cronenberg. An assumed artistic turn which allowed him to build a rich and varied filmography.

With To the end of the worldthe actor found himself once again at the helm of an ambitious project. In addition to playing the main role, he also signed the realization, the script, the production … and even the music of the film!

Shout! Studios

The story of the film takes place in the 1860s and follows Vivienne (interpreted by Vicky Krieps), a free-minded Franco-Canadian, who fell in love with Holger (Mortensen), a Danish breeder. But their romance is upset by the outbreak of the American Civil War that pushes Holger to get involved, letting Viviente alone his own trials.

Despite this more intimate career choice, Viggo Mortensen remains deeply attached to the universe of Tolkien. As a testimony to this attachment, he slipped a little nod to his years in his years in The Lord of the Rings : A Furtiv cameo by Andúril (“The West Flame” in Sindarin), the emblematic sword of his character, Aragorn. Remember, formerly named Narsil, she was the sword of Elendil, one of the lords of Númenor and ancestor of Aragorn, before being reforged by the Elves of Fondcombe and to be renamed.

New Line Cinema

In an interview with GQ, the actor explained how this idea had come to him: during a scene involving a knight, the team had prepared everything: horse, costume, accessories … except the weapon. It was then that he thought of a sword he kept at home …

“” “We had everything for this sequence with a knight. We had found this big fiery horse, the good type of saddle, we had made a kind of medieval cover and we had the knight's costume. Everything was fine, then I said: 'Well, we should have a sword'“He said.

Aware that fans could recognize it, he wanted to do things in the rules:

“” “I looked for and there were good ones but I thought it might be good to use the one I had because she is really good. But I knew that I should ask for permission because I was sure that someone would notice it, even if you only see it for a few seconds, it is not really essential to the stage and certainly not in the film, it is just something that appears and that you see or not.»

New Line Cinema

He therefore contacted Peter Jackson, who gave his green light provided that it does not disturb the intrigue. Viggo Mortensen Then obtained the production agreement of Ringswho was comprehensive and accepted this discreet little wink.

“” “So I asked Peter Jackson if he agreed with that, and he replied: 'Is it very important in the story?' I said, 'No, this is not the case. You barely notice it, but someone will probably notice it. ' He said it suited him but that I should ask the film's company. So I contacted them and they agreed. They realized that it was not essential, that it would not draw much attention. They were very nice about this and they gave us permission. This is why we did it, simply because it seemed right. It was a kind of last minute accident.»

A return to the world of Gollum?

Asked about the subject, Viggo Mortensen does not exclude a possible return to the universe which revealed it to the general public, on the occasion of the next film The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, directed by Andy Serkis and planned for 2027.

“” “I don't know exactly what the story is, I haven't heard of it. Maybe I will hear about it one day. I like to embody this character. I learned a lot by playing it and I really enjoyed it”He said in the same interview with GQ.

That said, he wanted to qualify his enthusiasm by specifying that he would only participate in the project if the scenario is in line with his current age: “I would only do it if I have the means, given my current age. I would only do it if I match the character. It would be silly to do it differently.»

Until the end of the world was released in theaters in France on May 1, 2024 and is now available in VOD.

As for the trilogy of the Lord of the Rings, it is always available on Prime Video, for those who would like to see Aragorn Brandir Andúril once again.