In The Lord of the Rings films, a lot of the humor comes from noble Gimli having… nicely, not a nice time. From getting tossed to foisted by his beard to winded on the plains of Rohan, the son of Gloin went by means of a lot of discomfort, normally for comedic impact. Behind the scenes, although, the actor who performed Gimli had a fairly notable benefit as opposed to the relaxation of the cast: that’s, a hand-delivered La-Z-Boy reserved for him on set.
This little behind-the-scenes tidbit does not come from Rhys Davies in any respect, however from one of his costars, Aragorn actor Viggo Mortensen. Together with Sean Bean, Mortensen had sat down with Empire Journal for a deep dive into The Fellowship of the Ring’s historical past on this, the twenty fifth anniversary of its theatrical debit. And it was throughout this chat that Mortensen revealed Rhys Davies to be Lord of the Chairs.
“I additionally keep in mind throughout that first day of work,” recounts the Hidalgo actor, “We had been like, The place’s John [Rhys-Davies]?’ After which all of the sudden this helicopter comes up with a large internet holding a giant La-Z-Boy recliner and so they put it on the set. It was in his contract.”
You heard proper, people – not solely did Rhys Davies signal on to painting Gimli with the provision he have a La-Z-Boy in the studio, however that he’d have it wherever they had been filming. I am certain there’s a joke right here about the chair being one thing of a burden to take up a mountain, however I am not intelligent sufficient to make it.
“All of us had a stool or one thing,” continued Mortensen, laughing, “And he had a La-Z-Boy recliner! I feel it was as a result of his costume was so heavy, I do not know what his excuse was. All over the place we went, irrespective of how onerous the terrain was, if it had to are available in a helicopter, so be it: he had this huge La-Z-Boy chair.”
All this to say, subsequent time you watch The Lord of the Rings and really feel a little unhealthy for what Gimli’s going by means of, keep in mind that he has a little piece of the Grey Havens reserved just for him, ready simply off digital camera.
The Lord of the Rings is streaming on HBO Max.