Last summer, Sir Ian McKellen made headlines when he unexpectedly announced at a fan convention that both he and Elijah Wood would be reprising their roles as Gandalf and Frodo in the next LOTR movie, The Hunt for Gollum. It’s supposed to take place during the 17 years in between when Bilbo leaves the One Ring to Frodo and Frodo sets out on his journey. During that time period, Gandalf researches the ring’s origins and Aragorn is tasked with finding Gollum, who is being tortured in Mordor.
Elijah’s new movie, Ready or Not 2: Here I Come hits theaters on March 20. To promote it, he did a great interview with The Times where he gave his mom a lot of credit for keeping him grounded as a child actor. He also talked about how LOTR changed his life and unofficially confirmed that he’d be back as Frodo in The Hunt for Gollum. Over the years, Sir Ian has been vocal about how possessive he is of his role Gandalf. Elijah has similar feelings and plans to play Frodo as long as he possibly can. You could even say that the role is his precious.
“I’m just excited,” Wood, 45, told the outlet, after acknowledging that McKellen, 86, “sort of let the cat out of the bag” when he announced that both Gandalf and Frodo would appear in the movie during an appearance at a convention in London in August.
When The Times’ reporter noted that McKellen recently told the outlet that he “could not allow anyone else to play Gandalf,” Wood said in response, “Well, no, and I totally get that. I certainly wouldn’t want anybody else to play Frodo either as long as I’m alive and able.”
“And I can also recognize what fun that is going to be — when you are in the cinema and you see the hat turn around and it’s Gandalf,” he added. “Because I’m also a fan, and excited to see how it all comes together.”
“It hasn’t been officially announced,” Wood told The Times of the not-quite-official news that he will play Frodo again in the movie. “So there is a good chance. I’m not able to officially say anything until it’s announced, but I will say I’m thrilled with the prospect of another film.”
“It’s always a little nerve-racking when people talk about new movies for a world like Middle-Earth,” he added. “Everyone gets a little protective and hopes it retains its level of integrity, but this story is fun, thrilling. There is a genuine feeling of getting the band back together.”
I understand Elijah’s attachment to playing Frodo. He was so perfectly cast that I really could not see anyone else as that character. FWIW, I don’t think he’s being selfish to want to hold onto the role. This isn’t a “pass the torch” situation like with Daniel Radcliffe and the rest of the cast of the Harry Potter movies. One counterpoint to comparing him playing Frodo in perpetuity with Sir Ian still playing Gandalf is that Gandalf is supposed to be an old man. I’m just saying! In that same vein, Viggo Mortensen is not currently confirmed to be returning as Aragorn. The role is reportedly being recast, which I truly find to be a bummer, but will keep an open mind. I just hope that if the LOTR movies continue in the current Peter Jackson Universe, they don’t end up doing some weird CGI Frodo one day like they did with Mark Hamill/Luke in The Mandalorian.
Also, PSA for all of my fellow LOTR nerds out there: At 45, Elijah is only five years younger than Frodo was when he first left The Shire. Time really will come for you no matter if it’s fact or fiction.
Photos credit: Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/Avalon, Dave Starbuck/Future Image/Cover Images, Yamak Perea/EyePix/INSTARimages
I think this works in large part because of Frodo’s age as you mention in the original trilogy. he’s not supposed to be a child per se, he’s just a young adult at 50. But obviously elijah wood is older now than he was 25 years ago so Frodo is going to look different. I hope they just use makeup and don’t go crazy de-aging or CGI.
I love LOTR so I’m excited for this. I also think Elijah Wood does have a similarity to Daniel Radcliffe, in that he played his role in this iconic franchise and now just has fun with his career. his role in yellowjackets was fantastic.
And if anyone just wants some fun for a thursday morning – look up Colbert’s “#1 Trilly” on youtube lol. It makes me laugh every time.
Dude … Good luck with that. With Hollywood constantly rebooting everything and its obsession with youth, Frodo WILL be recast sooner, rather than later.
I don’t understand why Frodo is part of the story. It would make more sense if it was Orlando Bloom returning as Legolas, since Gollum was held captive at his father’s castle, or am I remembering things incorrectly?