Elijah Wood, the actor renowned for his role as Frodo Baggins in the iconic film adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, has made an unexpected confession during a recent interview. Twenty-five years after the release of the first film, Wood revealed that he has yet to read all three volumes of the literary work that inspired the beloved cinematic series.
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During a candid appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Wood discussed his long-standing relationship with the Tolkien novels. In a light-hearted exchange, Colbert, a well-known Tolkien enthusiast, prompted Wood to share how far he had ventured into the books. The 45-year-old actor chuckled as he acknowledged his reading journey, or lack thereof, revealing, “To have it be from you… I feel almost the most embarrassed, Stephen, because I know no one else in my life who loves Tolkien more than you and has read the books more than maybe anyone?”
Wood explained that while he has begun reading the books, his journey is still in its infancy. “So 25 years later — actually 27 if you consider we started shooting in October of ’99 — I’ll at least say this, there’s an update. I have started them, and they’re incredible,” he shared, highlighting his appreciation for Tolkien’s literary craftsmanship despite not having completed the series.
In a previous interview with Esquire, Wood admitted that he found the novels to be “dense and verbose and incredible and literary and beautiful, but heavy.” He explained that while working on his character, he focused primarily on the scripts rather than the original novels. “I found it taxing to read the book with all the work in tandem I was doing on my character,” he noted, stating that he aimed to immerse himself in the world of Middle-earth as envisioned in the films. Reflecting on the situation, he remarked, “I still haven’t read it, 20 years later. It’s ridiculous that I haven’t. It is my cross to bear. It’s so dumb. Everybody else has read it.”
In a different segment of the interview, Colbert mentioned the iconic Sir Ian McKellen, who had recently appeared on the show. McKellen, now 86, revealed his return as Gandalf in the upcoming film, Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. He also hinted at Wood reprising his role as Frodo, prompting curiosity about Wood’s potential involvement. When asked for his thoughts on the speculation, Wood responded coyly, indicating he had “nothing to add” but also “nothing to subtract,” suggesting possible intrigue surrounding the project.
As fans prepare for the 25th anniversary of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, which will take place in December 2026, Wood reflected on his connections with fellow cast members. He revealed that he maintains regular contact with them through a group chat affectionately named “Shire folk,” a title that emerged from a previous name, “The Hobbits.” “Dom retitled it ‘Shire folk’. It was ‘The Hobbits’, but he was like, it’s too on the nose,” Wood explained, highlighting the enduring friendships forged during their time on the films.
Wood further shared that the cast engages in friendly competition through the New York Times mini crossword puzzle, exchanging their scores in light-hearted banter. He noted with a smile, “I usually win,” but added that Sean Astin, who played Samwise Gamgee, is exceedingly intelligent yet takes longer to complete the puzzles.
The beloved Lord of the Rings trilogy continues to capture the hearts of new and old fans alike, with the films now available for streaming on HBO Max. Wood’s reflections serve as a reminder of the timeless legacy of Tolkien’s work and the strong bonds between the cast that have weathered the years. As anticipation builds for future projects in the Lord of the Rings cinematic universe, it is clear that Wood’s journey, both as an actor and a reader, remains just as intriguing as the epic tales woven by Tolkien himself.