Elijah Wood, who played Frodo Baggins in Peter Jackson's film trilogy, has confessed he never finished reading JRR Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. The 45-year-old actor made the admission on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where he revealed he has only recently started the book.
Colbert, a known Tolkien enthusiast, confronted Wood about the long-standing rumour. Wood expressed embarrassment, saying, 'To have it be from you, I feel almost the most embarrassed, Stephen. Because I know no one else in my life that loves Tolkien more than you.' He then offered an update: 'I have started them.'
Wood's belated reading coincides with the upcoming film The Hunt for Gollum, directed by and starring Andy Serkis. While Wood has not been officially confirmed to reprise his role as Frodo, he hinted at his involvement, stating he would be 'thrilled with the prospect of another film' and that he 'certainly wouldn't want anybody else to play Frodo either as long as I'm alive and able.'
Sir Ian McKellen is confirmed to return as Gandalf, and Viggo Mortensen has expressed interest in reprising Aragorn if the role aligns with Tolkien's work. The Hunt for Gollum is scheduled for release in 2027.
