Lord of the Rings Star Shares How a Prank Ignited His Fear of Flying, Inspiring Daily Mountain Climbs

Published 08/22/2023, 12:47 PM EDT

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Picture this: a breathtaking helicopter ride to work every day, soaring over cityscapes or gliding above lush landscapes. A dream, right? Well, not for everyone. Take actor Sean Bean, for instance. Known for his memorable roles in various franchises, Bean faced a unique challenge while filming The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

The fear that led to unexpected heights

You might think flying in a helicopter is a no-brainer. Who wouldn’t want that incredible aerial view? But for Sean Bean, this wasn’t the case. His fear of flying was no secret. What made it even more intriguing was the incident during filming that turned this fear into a mountain-climbing adventure.

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On his first helicopter ride for the shoot, Bean’s Lord of the Rings co-stars played a prank that took an unexpected turn. This unnerving experience shattered any semblance of enthusiasm he might have had for flying. And so, a unique solution was born.  Imagine having to climb a mountain every day to get to your set. Why would anyone do that? But Sean Bean did just that during the filming of The Lord of the Rings.

Instead of opting for helicopter rides like the rest of the cast, he embarked on a daily trek up the mountain. Talk about choosing the scenic route! Director Peter Jackson remembers witnessing Bean’s determination firsthand as he scaled nearly-vertical rock faces. That’s commitment!

via Imago

Facing your fears is no easy feat. But according to reports, after 9/11, Sean Bean’s perspective changed. The looming threat of terrorist attacks put his fear of flying into a different context. Suddenly, engine failures seemed trivial compared to the larger concerns. This shift in mindset led Bean to confront his fear head-on. He realized that worrying about turbulence wasn’t worth it in the grand scheme of things. This pivotal moment marked the turning point in Bean’s relationship with flying.

A diverse career despite adversities

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Sean Bean’s fear of flying didn’t hinder his impressive acting career in the slightest. In fact, it added a unique layer to his persona. Bean took on a variety of roles, showcasing his acting prowess across genres.

From memorable villains to heroic figures, he made his mark on both the big and small screens. Interestingly, his characters often met untimely ends, a fact he humorously disclosed while revealing his habit of reading scripts from back to front to gauge his character’s longevity.

While Sean Bean is not currently tied to any upcoming projects, his past experiences could pave the way for exciting new roles. Wouldn’t he be a fantastic fit for a remake of “Beyond the Edge,” a film depicting the historic 1953 Everest climb? Bean’s mountain-climbing background would undoubtedly add an authentic touch to such a venture.

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Have you ever faced a fear head-on and turned it into an adventure? Maybe not on the grand scale of Sean Bean, but we all have our unique journeys. So, spill the beans (pun intended!) in the comments below and share your fearless exploits with us!

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Written by:

Kumar Rohan

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Kumar Rohan is a writer at EssentiallySports who covers Sports Viral Moments. He is a sports journalist with a knack for writing. His sports expertise comes in handy when he breaks down events skilfully, in his own style.
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Edited by:

Mallika Singh