Sean Bean - Boromir
Los Angeles, USA, October 2003
What are your memories of
first getting the role of Boromir ?
I was with my two eldest kids, driving down the M1 to London, and I got the
phone call. I was over the moon;I could hardly keep control of the car. It was a
great feeling because it had gone backwards and forwards.
What is your character's
defining moment ?
I think the most definitive is when I've been shot full of arrows and I'm lying
in Aragorn's arms. I say something like, "I wish I'd known then what I know
now. I can see now." That gave Boromir a peaceful passage into the next
world;it's not a painful death, it's more of a self-realization. It's the only
way he can escape the hold the ring has over him.
Describe Peter Jackson in
three words.
Hairy, clever and he's very Hobbit-like. I'm sure everyone's said that... And
funny. He's a very funny man.
What is your fondest
memory of New Zealand ?
One of the things that made a big impression on me was going into Rivendell,
just seeing that set for the first time. It was one of those rare times you walk
onto a set and it's almost complete. It gave me some idea of the dedication
people had put into it. It was like when you're a kid walking into Disneyland,
or Santa's grotto.
Are your Rings colleagues
going to be friends for life ?
I've kept in touch with Viggo. Out of everyone we seemed to get on very well.
We're similar ages and we have similar outlooks in many ways. But we all got on
great. And I got the tattoo, of course. It's on me shoulder here. No, hang on,
that's me Sheffield United tattoo. It's on the other side.
What is your favourite piece
of Lord Of The Rings memorabilia ?
I've got a framed letter I was sent, written on old parchment with a quill pen.
It's from Frodo Baggins and it says, "Dear Boromir, even though you're
gone, your memory still lives on." It mentions me being tempted by the ring
and that I'm forgiven. I think all the characters got something similar. But
it's quite something to me;it'll always bring back good memories.
What was the toughest thing
you had to do ?
Actually, flying in the helicopters was one of the worst things for me. At the
time I was terrified of flying, especially in those things. I was checking the
call sheets every day to see if there was any helicopter travel. I'd be like,
"Oh fuck." Me and Orlando flew through a storm one day. It was blowing
a gale, very grey and rainy, like the Yorkshire Moors, and this helicopter was
swinging around in the wind. I had an iron grip on Orlando's thigh for the whole
journey.