The Original Aragorn Would Have Completely Changed The Lord Of The Rings

Viggo's Aragorn is so good that every time I watch the movie, I don't see Viggo at all, I see Aragorn.

Quick fact: Vigo was not willing to accept the role due to the time he would be away from his family, but his son who was a teen fan of LOTR said something like "will you deny me the opportunity for my father to be Aragorn?" and the rest is history

I think Viggo brought a humility in Aragorn that you rarely see most actors pull off. Russell Crowe or Nicolas Cage would've been too big of a name to give Aragorn that same humbleness Viggo did. And it allowed Aragorn to be less of a main character and gives other characters more weight when they interact with him, and it is when these character interacts that you truly see how heroic Aragorn is. His kindness given to a dying Boromir who just betrayed the Fellowship and gentleness in putting off Eowyn advances towards him is what sets him apart as a character in the film.

Some castings are iconic. Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn is one of them. I cannot imagine anyone else in that role. Even better: Viggo is a leader in real life as well. Everybody loved him on set, he's professionnal and well liked by the directors and all crew, he's funny, he's great with horses, his son is super smart (thanks Henry!). It's like Illuvatar himself willed for Viggo to be Aragorn.

Viggo as Aragorn is one of the best casting in book-to-film adaptation history, possibly only matched by Christopher Lee as Saruman or Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid.

The last chapter of Return Of The King, Aragorn, “My friends, you bow to no one”…. Could have never come from anyone but Viggo Mortensen. Greatest movies ever

Mortensen was the absolute perfect actor. He truly made the audience feel like he doesn't play Aragorn, but he IS Aragorn. The depth with which he portrayed this (without doubt) very hard role to play near-impromptu is awe-inspiring.

"No-ego Viggo" was the absolute hammer-smash of success. Relatively unknown enough to aid in the suspension of disbelief, yet professional enough to throw himself into the character so totally, it's impossible to imagine another actor as Aragorn. He, Christopher Lee, Sir Ian McKellan, and Brad Dourif (Wormtongue) gave performances that gave me chills the first time I drug my family to the theater for Fellowship. I had long given up on ever seeing my favorite story on screen. My kids wondered why I was so emotional. Now, they understand.

Ironically I think the fact Viggo wasn't in the character yet in the inn made the scene better... Like you can feel the uncertainty and hesitance in the character almost immediately.

Russel Crowe as Aragorn would vacuum all the attention to his character, making the other events mere side-quests. Viggo Mortensen's portrayal blended perfectly to the whole story.

Viggo absolutely nailed the role of Aragorn and his acting is one of the many reasons the trilogy is as big as it is, but for some reason I think Sean Bean could've also acted the part if need be. That being said, he ALSO nailed Boromir so... yeah lol

It's also important to note that Vigo had great chemistry with the cast. He really knows how to portray Aragorn like he is the brother at arms with Gandalf and Legolas.

Viggo has a natural grace and poise. He is full of valour and charisma. That other guy looked a bit snide and lacking substance. So glad Viggo got the part.

Viggo Mortensen is the Chad of Chads. He did his own stunts, he bought the horse who was cast as "Brego" (Aragorn's horse) because he liked the horse so much (and I bet the horse liked Arago---I mean Viggo, too), and when he got his tooth chipped after getting hit by a stuntman's steel sword, he just said, "don't worry about me, let's keep filming" (but Pete didn't want his main man on film with a chipped tooth and called in a Orthodonthist right away). Speaking of chipped teeth, majority of his wounds and scars in the Movie? They're not make up... They're actual wounds from working his own fighting stunts and acts.

Viggo broke his bones for this role, while the other didn't wanna fight, ride, let alone rehearse!

Viggo Mortensen as Aragon is possibly the most seamless fit ever in cinema history. The circumstances, the background for the character and the actor. Everything came together

Viggo told us in an interview that he hadn’t even read the books, and it was his son who exitedly told him to accept the role.

In hindsight it worked out of course but it’s funny to think if Viggo nailed the part so well because he was actually discovering what it meant to be Aragorn as he became part of the crew

The whole world owes Henry Mortensen a HUGE "Thank you !!" - for having convinced his dad to take on the role of Aragorn with such short notice - on a chance - as it were. That role was made for him - and he for it. He was brilliant as Strider/Aragorn/King Elessar . . . I had been reading those books since I was 19 - 56 yrs ago -. . . in fact, I still have the original set of three books in their sleeve with the map of Middle Earth on it, The Hobbit, The Silmarillion, Leaf by Niggle and Farmer Giles of Ham - all bought that same year. They've traveled across the country with me twice (to Toronto and back) - and for two years up North, as well. Viggo was only 10 yrs old when I bought those books (during my 2nd year at University). Did he even know he was going to be an actor, then ?!? And how could he ever have known that he would forever be identified with one of THE most beloved characters in story-telling, movie history ?!? He was equally brilliant in all his other movies since . . . but LOTR was absolutely magical - and so much of the magic came to life because of him.

Viggo is a man of substance. The movie would have been severely lacking without him.