LOTR: When Peter Jackson SECRETELY played Sam in RotK!

Despite the extensive use of practical effects in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, CGI was necessary for certain scenes, such as the fight with Shelob. In these instances, actors like Sean Astin had to perform without a physical counterpart, relying on Peter Jackson’s direction. Interestingly, the first appearance of Sam confronting Shelob wasn’t Sean Astin but Peter Jackson himself, who filled in for a stunt double to ensure the scene looked right. This detail adds another layer of appreciation for the behind-the-scenes effort in these iconic films.