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The production of The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a behind-the-scenes tale filled with triumphs, challenges, and unexpected turns. Among the most surprising of these twists was the departure of actor Stuart Townsend, who was originally cast as Aragorn, only to be replaced by Viggo Mortensen just before filming began.
A Shock Firing
Stuart Townsend had been preparing for the role of Aragorn for nearly two months. However, just a day before principal photography was set to begin, he was abruptly dismissed from the project. The precise reasons for this sudden decision remain somewhat muddled, with two main theories emerging over the years.
One theory suggests that Townsend was perceived as difficult to work with and lacked the dedication required for such a demanding role. Another theory posits that director Peter Jackson decided late in the process that an older actor would be more suitable for the role of Aragorn—a view that Townsend himself reportedly shared, which may have led to his own lack of confidence in the part.
In a 2002 interview with the Irish Independent, Townsend expressed his disbelief at what went down, saying, “They fired me before filming even started because they said I wasn’t working hard enough, which is totally ridiculous. I love to work, I’m a worker.” Despite the abruptness of his dismissal, Townsend maintained that he had no regrets, adding, “It was only work, it was only an ego thing. I didn’t get my heart broken and no one died on me.”
Conflicting Explanations
By 2005, Townsend’s narrative had shifted slightly. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he suggested that the real reason for his departure was Jackson’s desire to cast an older actor. “I was there rehearsing and training for two months, then was fired the day before filming began,” Townsend recounted. “The director [Peter Jackson] wanted me and then apparently thought better of it because he really wanted someone 20 years older than me and completely different.”
Townsend’s dismissal was not just a blow to his career but also led to a contractual dispute. He revealed that despite his extensive preparation, he was not compensated due to what was deemed a breach of contract. “I have no good feelings for those people in charge, I really don’t,” Townsend said.
Viggo Mortensen’s Sudden Entrance
Viggo Mortensen, who would go on to portray Aragorn and make the role iconic, has spoken modestly about replacing Townsend. In a 2020 interview with The Irish Times, Mortensen said, “I didn’t enquire too much about it… I am sure he would have done a great job. He’s a good actor. I don’t know how it went down.” Mortensen admitted to feeling uncomfortable about stepping into the role under such circumstances, noting, “When I was told that I would be replacing someone I felt awkward about it. I wondered if I would meet the actor but he was gone when I got there. I was just thrown into it and had to do the best I could.”
Despite the uncomfortable situation, Mortensen eventually crossed paths with Townsend after the trilogy was completed. “I did run across Stuart after we finished – I think it was in Los Angeles – and said hi. I hear he’s a nice guy and I am sorry that happened,” he reflected.
A Cast Left Reeling
Townsend’s sudden departure had a profound impact on the cast, particularly those who had formed close bonds with him during pre-production. Dominic Monaghan, who played Merry, recounted the shock of learning about Townsend’s exit. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Monaghan said, “We didn’t get a chance to say bye to Stu. […] He left very quickly. I think he was probably sad about how it turned out.” The abrupt change served as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of filmmaking, with Monaghan noting, “We were all stunned, I didn’t think we could get fired at that point, I thought you were in… but it wasn’t the case.”
The intense work schedule of the production left little time for the cast to process Townsend’s departure. “We were working all the time… We didn’t have time to mourn anything.”
A Troubled Production
Details of Townsend’s time on The Lord of the Rings set are further explored in Ian Nathan’s book Anything You Can Imagine: Peter Jackson and the Making of Middle-earth. According to Nathan, Peter Jackson was initially a strong advocate for Townsend’s casting, despite concerns from New Line Cinema. Townsend even travelled to New Zealand and filmed several test scenes as Aragorn, though these would ultimately be the only scenes he ever shot for the trilogy.
As production progressed, concerns about Townsend’s commitment began to surface. He reportedly skipped essential training sessions, including sword-fighting, which was crucial for Aragorn’s character. This behaviour raised red flags among the production team. At one celebratory dinner, Townsend’s sour demeanour prompted Ian McKellen to pointedly ask, “You do want to be in this film, don’t you?” This moment was a turning point for Jackson, who decided that Townsend wasn’t the right fit and informed the producers that he needed to be replaced.
The cast, particularly Elijah Wood, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd, were deeply affected by Townsend’s departure. Having bonded with him during pre-production, they were left shaken by the news. Reflecting on the experience, Wood later said, “The responsibility suddenly felt that much greater.”
An Altered Legacy
Stuart Townsend’s departure from The Lord of the Rings is a poignant reminder of the uncertainties inherent in the film industry. While Viggo Mortensen’s portrayal of Aragorn has become legendary, it’s intriguing to imagine what might have been if Townsend had remained in the role.
