Elijah Wood’s portrayal of Frodo Baggins in the Lord of the Rings trilogy is undoubtedly one of the most iconic performances in modern cinema. The actor’s nuanced and emotional portrayal of the hobbit brought the character to life in a way that captivated audiences worldwide.
In the above 10-minute video published in December 2021, Wood talks with Esquire about his experiences making the trilogy. Press the top left play button on the above feature image so the video of the interview can pop up for you to watch.
Wood was just 18 or 19 years old when he was cast as Frodo in 1999, with filming beginning later that year in New Zealand. He was already an accomplished actor at the time, having starred in films like The Good Son and Flipper. However, the Peter Jackson-directed Lord of the Rings trilogy would prove to be a different kind of challenge altogether.
One of Wood’s biggest obstacles was the role’s physical demands. Frodo is a hobbit, and Wood had to wear prosthetic feet (which he still has a pair as a souvenir), and he had to spend long hours in makeup and prosthetics to achieve the hobbit’s distinct look. This meant early starts and late finishes, with up to five hours in the makeup chair every day.
Despite the physical challenges, Wood was determined to do justice to the character of Frodo.
One of the defining moments of Wood’s experience on the Lord of the Rings came during the filming of the scene in which Frodo and Sam (played by Sean Astin) climb Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring. The scene was physically demanding and emotionally charged, and Wood found himself struggling to stay focused.
In an interview with Rolling Stone, Wood recalled feeling overwhelmed during the scene, saying, “I was so tired, I was so emotionally drained, and I just couldn’t get there. And Peter said, ‘Okay, let’s take a break.’ And we sat down, and we talked, and he said, ‘You’re carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. You’re carrying the weight of Middle-earth. And it’s okay to let it go. You don’t have to carry it by yourself.'”
Those words profoundly impacted Wood, who says they helped him find the emotional depth he needed to complete the scene. It’s a testament to the close collaboration between actor and director on the Lord of the Rings trilogy and to the dedication of everyone involved in bringing J.R.R. Tolkien’s vision to life on the big screen.
Despite the challenges of filming, Wood has spoken fondly of his experience on the trilogy. In a 2020 interview with Collider, he said, “It was an incredibly immersive and transformative experience. It changed my life in many ways. It was just such an incredible journey to go on with everybody, and to be a part of something that is still so beloved is really special.”
The legacy of the Lord of the Rings trilogy is undeniable, and much of that legacy is thanks to the incredible performances of the cast, including Wood’s unforgettable portrayal of Frodo. For more see the video above.
