Viggo Mortensen's painful nudity

22-10-2007 08:30

Viggo Mortensen's naked fight scene for 'Eastern Promises' was "slippery, painful and embarrassing."The 'Lord of the Rings' actor, who had to shoot a four-minute nude fight in a steamy Turkish bath for the movie, insists it would have ruined the film if he had kept his towel on.Viggo, who plays a Russian mob member in the film, said: "That scene was slippery, painful and embarrassing. I always knew the scene should be as realistic as the rest of the movie, so I couldn't feasibly keep the towel on. "Plus, we shouldn't be trying to hide things or pretty it up in any way. I knew at times it would be awkward and vulnerable. It was also painful because I couldn't wear any pads to protect me. All I was wearing was a bunch of tattoos!"The 48-year-old actor also revealed he would jump at the chance of doing another naked fight scene, if it meant he could work with director David Cronenberg again.He added: "One thing is for sure, I'll definitely work with David again. And if he wants me to fight naked, so be it!"