The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, directed by Peter Jackson, is a cinematic masterpiece beloved by fans worldwide. But while most people know about the stunning visuals, sweeping musical scores, and unforgettable characters, the road to bringing Middle-earth to life was filled with fascinating behind-the-scenes moments. From unexpected casting choices to quirky on-set mishaps, here are some facts about the franchise you probably haven’t heard.

1. Viggo Mortensen Was a Last-Minute Replacement

Did you know Viggo Mortensen almost didn’t play Aragorn? The role was originally given to Stuart Townsend, but just days into shooting, the filmmakers decided he wasn’t the right fit. Viggo was approached as a replacement and agreed to take on the role—without much preparation and after some convincing from his son, a massive fan of the books. Mortensen brought intensity and authenticity to Aragorn, even doing many of his own stunts.

2. The Cast Got Inked to Commemorate Their Adventure

To celebrate their time together, several cast members, including Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, and Orlando Bloom, got matching tattoos of the Elvish word for “nine,” representing the fellowship. Only John Rhys-Davies (Gimli) opted out, but don’t worry—his stunt double-stepped in and got the ink instead.

3. Sean Bean Hiked Up a Mountain Daily to Film Boromir’s Scenes

Sean Bean, who played Boromir, had a notorious fear of flying and wasn’t a fan of traveling by helicopter in New Zealand’s mountainous terrain. When the cast and crew flew to remote shooting locations, Bean would often begin hiking hours before everyone else, fully dressed in Boromir’s gear, to avoid the chopper rides. Now that’s commitment!

4. Andy Serkis Revolutionized Performance Capture

Before The Lord of the Rings, performance capture wasn’t widely used. Andy Serkis, who played Gollum, spent hours studying the movement and mannerisms of real-life animals to craft Gollum’s unsettling appearance. His vocal performance, combined with his ground-breaking physicality, set a new standard for CGI characters and made Gollum one of the most iconic figures in film history.

5. The Helm's Deep Battle Took Months to Film

The epic battle at Helm’s Deep in The Two Towers wasn’t as quick and thrilling for the actors as it was for the audience. Filming this scene took over four months of grueling night shoots in the rain. The conditions were so harsh that many extras and crew members caught colds or sustained minor injuries. However, the hard work and dedication paid off, as the scene is often regarded as one of the best battle sequences in cinema.

6. Christopher Lee Was a Tolkien Superfan

Christopher Lee (Saruman) was more than an actor in the franchise—he was a walking Tolkien encyclopedia. Lee read The Lord of the Rings once a year and had even met J.R.R. Tolkien in person. He was initially a contender for the role of Gandalf but ended up perfectly embodying the menacing Saruman instead. His deep admiration for the source material added an extra layer of passion to his performance.

7. The Hobbits’ Feet Were a Daily Struggle

One of the most iconic elements of the hobbits is their large, hairy feet. However, getting those prosthetics on the actors was no small task. It took about an hour every morning to apply the feet, and they weren’t exactly comfortable. The makeup team also had to carefully blend the prosthetics to make them look natural, which was tricky during long days of filming in unpredictable weather.

8. The Ring Itself Had Multiple Versions

The One Ring may hold immense powers, but in reality, it required several different versions depending on the scene. Some were small, intricate props for close-ups, while others were oversized versions made to capture dramatic shots, like when Frodo drops the ring onto the floor in Bag End. The largest scale mockup measured nearly six inches in diameter!

9. Liv Tyler Learned Elvish for Her Role

Liv Tyler, who played Arwen, was so dedicated to her role that she learned to speak Elvish for her scenes. The language, created by J.R.R. Tolkien himself, isn’t easy to master, but Tyler went above and beyond to bring authenticity to her character’s dialogue.

10. Peter Jackson Made a Sneaky Cameo

If you watch closely, you’ll spot Peter Jackson’s love for cameos throughout the trilogy. He appears as a carrot-chomping villager in The Fellowship of the Ring, a soldier in The Two Towers, and a Corsair pirate in The Return of the King. Keep an eye out during your next rewatch and see if you can catch him!

11. Props Were Constantly Going Missing

Throughout filming, certain cast members couldn’t resist taking props as souvenirs (or occasionally losing them!). Viggo Mortensen famously walked away with several of Aragorn’s swords, while Ian McKellen “borrowed” Gandalf’s staff. Even the One Ring mysteriously disappeared a few times—likely ending up in cast members’ pockets.

12. New Zealand Tourism Boomed Thanks to the Franchise

It’s hard to imagine The Lord of the Rings without the breathtaking landscapes of New Zealand. The films showcased the beauty of the country so well that tourism boomed after their release. Fans from around the world traveled to see famous filming locations like Hobbiton and Mount Sunday (Edoras), boosting the country’s economy and giving New Zealand a new identity as the land of Middle-earth.

13. The Trilogy Almost Didn’t Happen

Before Peter Jackson pitched his vision, studios were skeptical about adapting The Lord of the Rings due to its massive scope and budget requirements. Miramax initially wanted the story condensed into just two movies, but when that didn’t work out, Jackson convinced New Line Cinema to back his ambitious three-film project. Thank goodness he did!

The Lord of the Rings franchise isn’t just a testament to Tolkien’s imagination—it’s a celebration of creativity, teamwork, and dedication behind the camera. These little-known facts show just how much effort went into creating the epic films we love, proving that a truly magical experience often requires a bit of unexpected adventure in real life, too.

Revisit the trilogy with these new tidbits in mind—you might just see Middle-earth in an entirely new light!