[Elijah Wood Reflects on Middle-earth: Auditions, Iconic Props, and Lost Memories]-[Elijah Wood Reveals The Secrets Behind Filming 'The Lord of the Rings' ｜ Explain This ｜ Esquire]

Esquire · B1 ·

📋 Summary

Reflecting on the Journey of the Ring: An Interview with Elijah Wood

In a candid exploration of his career and the monumental impact of The Lord of the Rings, actor Elijah Wood opens up about his experiences, from the early days of his VHS audition tape to the enduring legacy of the Fellowship.

The Genesis of an Epic: The VHS Audition

Wood recalls the high-stakes environment of the late 90s when casting for The Lord of the Rings was the talk of the industry. Determined to stand out, Wood decided to bypass the standard process. He recounts, "I needed to look like a hobbit," leading him to Western Costume to secure a look that mirrored the character's description. By filming his own scenes with friends and delivering the tape personally to the casting office, he demonstrated a level of passion that eventually helped secure him the role of Frodo Baggins.

The "What Ifs" of Middle-earth

Wood discusses the fascinating list of actors who were once considered for the trilogy. He expresses genuine surprise at learning about candidates like Daniel Day-Lewis for Aragorn, Sean Connery for Gandalf, and even James Corden as Sam Gamgee. The most surreal revelation involved Paul McCartney, who confirmed to Wood at the 2010 Oscars that there was indeed a mythic project where he would have played Frodo. Wood humbly notes, "I stand aside, sir," regarding the potential of a Beatle in the role.

The Weight of the Ring and the Burden of the Books

Reflecting on his youth, Wood admits to the pressure of carrying a "$281 million movie franchise" at just 18 years old. Despite being immersed in the production for 16 months, Wood makes a surprising confession: he never finished reading J.R.R. Tolkien’s books. Overwhelmed by the intense planning and script work, he found it "taxing" to read the source material simultaneously. He acknowledges this with a sense of lingering regret, noting that he often advises his younger self to have prioritized reading the books during his downtime in New Zealand.

Unexpected Friendships and Lasting Bonds

Wood delves into the complex relationship between Frodo and Smeagol, describing it as a connection between two addicts who understand each other's trauma. "Frodo sees that... in Gollum is Smeagol," he explains, highlighting the empathy that defines Frodo’s character. This sense of profound connection extended to the cast as well, leading to the famous decision to get matching tattoos of the number nine in Elvish. The cast wanted to "link all of us to each other" for the life-changing experience they shared.

Treasures and Advice

Discussing the physical remnants of his time in Middle-earth, Wood notes that he keeps "Sting" at home, along with a pair of Hobbit feet—though he jokes that the latex may have shrunk over the years. When asked what advice he would offer his 18-year-old self, Wood emphasizes the importance of documenting one's life. While he took many photos, he regrets not keeping a more consistent journal, a habit he admires in his co-stars Dominic Monaghan and Orlando Bloom. Ultimately, his reflection is one of gratitude for an experience that shaped his life, even if he still has a few chapters of the original books left to finish.

🎯Key Sentences

So let's dive in, shall we?

at the very least, show that I was extremely passionate about being a part of

And that's sort of it.

But that's the story behind the tape.

I think buried somewhere in a box

Expand All

📝Key Phrases

stand out above everything else

not dissimilar to

make a ton of sense

never came to pass

stand aside

Expand All

📖 Transcript

I have the ring.

I was given the ring.

One of the rings.

There are many.

And I have a pair of hobbit feet.

The hobbit feet do not get worn.

Or study on the web version →