Viggo should be more excited!

[Mithalwen]

Mortensen is also an artist/photographer, poet etc.. I don't know if he is the kind of artist whose work) commands a fortune (or if it does so more than in part due to his acting fame) and I don't think many people make much out of poetry (though Tolkien's Bombadil was an exception that proves the rule). But one way or another he surely is in the lucky position to choose the work he does and has plenty of ways to occupy his time when not acting.

And though he is clearly remarkably fit he is in his fiftieth year and will have to play his character younger, ten years later. All told, it isn't a total no-brainer that he would want to reprise the role.

[Bêthberry]

Strange as it may seem, I find myself agreeing in principle with Sauron the White's point about Mortensen's comment. Mortensen doesn't need to sell himself through his own hype, which is a refreshing tone and style in the overblown world of blockbuster actors. He's too cool a guy to gush.

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

And though he is clearly remarkably fit he is in his fiftieth year and will have to play his character younger, ten years later.

Well, there is also that tooth that he broke during a stunt for LotR, isn't there? I suppose it will have to be capped for authenticity's sake if he is to appear as a younger Aragorn, unless it is broken as part of the newly written part of Aragorn for the bridge movie, maybe in a fist fight. Imagine Arwen being solicitous about such damage.

[MatthewM]

Originally Posted by Bêthberry

He's too cool a guy to gush.

So if you're not cool, you gush? I don't get it. It doesn't matter if people do not agree with me, that's fine - but just because Viggo is a "cool guy" - and I'm sure he is - doesn't mean he can't show a little excitement. I just feel this way because I love Tolkien and I can't imagine why somebody wouldn't seem a little more excited about playing such a beloved character, again. Maybe he doesn't realize how lucky he is?

Oh well, dead end convo, it's really no big deal at all, I just thought it was an interesting remark.

[Lush]

Hey MM, what's up?

This is the entertainment business, where it doesn't always pay to wear your heart on your sleeve. Sometimes, playing hard to get is in your best interest. I'm also sure that Viggo's agent would caution him against emotional displays at this point.

Imagine that he gushes about it, then they end offering the part to someone younger, then he looks like an idiot and gossip columnists bring it up for at least a week (and it goes into his file, and everyone who writes a story on him from now until doomsday may mention it).

Viggo is also... different. A friend of mine did an interview with him and the report on him is that he really is a very calm, chilled-out guy. So it makes sense.

[Miss Squadilla]

Vigo sucks. On the EE DVDs there is this interview with the actors and he said that he wouldn't have taken the role if his son didn't make him, because Vigo had never read LotR but his son had. That alone makes me not like him.

HOLY **** THERE IS A YELLOW BOOTS POST ICON?!?!?! I AM SO USING THAT!!!!! BOMBADIL FTW!!!!!!!!!

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

He's an actor.

[Lindale]

Originally Posted by Miss Squadilla

Vigo sucks. On the EE DVDs there is this interview with the actors and he said that he wouldn't have taken the role if his son didn't make him, because Vigo had never read LotR but his son had. That alone makes me not like him.

Does that make you like Chris Lee then?

Originally Posted by Boromir88

Chris Lee boycotted the ROTK premiere, because he found out his scenes were cut from the movie. When asked if he was going to go to the premiere, he pretty much said "No, what's the point?" And I don't blame Chris Lee for that either. He committed his time, talents, and effort into playing a role he was asked to play, only to find out his character was axed from the film. That's got to be aggravating for any actor.

Not to mention he is a big Tolkien fan. Poor Lee. I haven't heard of this before.

[Mithalwen]

Originally Posted by Miss Squadilla

Vigo sucks. On the EE DVDs there is this interview with the actors and he said that he wouldn't have taken the role if his son didn't make him, because Vigo had never read LotR but his son had. That alone makes me not like him.

The full story is that he hadn't read the books at the point he was offered it (when filming has already started as a replacement), and that he didn't want to spend so long so far away from his then quite young son. Only when that son explained what he was turning down did he agree. I wouldn't say he sucked for putting his son before work.

Unless you just dislike everyone who hasn't read the book? A little excessive surely? Not everyone gets it... their loss, have compassion.

[Boromir88]

Not to mention he is a big Tolkien fan. Poor Lee. I haven't heard of this before.~Lindale

That was many a years ago (or so it seemed ), but I think Lee, PJ, and everyone put the event behind them. When asked if he would like to come back as Saruman in The Hobbit, he was very excited about that chance. Now, however it seems like he's realizing he simply won't be able to do it. If he were to play Saruman, he would be expected to make the trek to New Zealand, to shoot scenes, and Lee said at his age, and with filming being at least 2 years away, he doesn't think he'll be able to do it. However, he did add that he would love to be the voice for Smaug, as he doesn't have to head way down under to do that. Anyway Lee is involved in the films I think would be a major plus.