Oscar-winning actor and musician Bret McKenzie, best known as one half of Flight of the Conchords, has revealed fascinating behind-the-scenes details about his experience filming Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy, including an unforgettable encounter with Sir Ian McKellen.
In an exclusive interview, McKenzie disclosed how he nearly missed out on his role as the elf Lindir, which eventually led to his Academy Award-winning music contributions to the franchise. "I was busy touring with Flight of the Conchords and almost turned it down," McKenzie confessed. "Thankfully, my manager convinced me it was worth making time for."
The Unexpected Oscar Journey
What began as a minor acting role transformed into a career-defining moment when McKenzie was asked to contribute to the film's musical score. His work on "Song of the Lonely Mountain" earned him an Oscar for Best Original Song in 2013.
"The whole Oscar experience was completely surreal," McKenzie recalled. "I went from being the funny musical guy to having this incredible recognition from the film industry. It opened doors I never expected."
Working Alongside Acting Royalty
McKenzie shared particularly amusing anecdotes about working with Ian McKellen, who famously portrayed Gandalf throughout both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.
"Ian was absolutely wonderful, but there was this one hilarious moment during filming," McKenzie revealed. "We were shooting a scene where all the elves are standing very seriously, and Ian just started making these funny faces at me between takes. Here's this legendary Shakespearean actor, completely breaking character to make his fellow cast members laugh."
The New Zealand native described the experience as "both intimidating and incredibly inspiring," noting that watching McKellen's dedication to his craft was a masterclass in acting.
From Comedy to Middle-earth
McKenzie's transition from comedy music to blockbuster filmmaking wasn't as dramatic as one might expect. His previous work on The Lord of the Rings films had already established his connection to Jackson's cinematic universe.
"There's a unique energy on Peter Jackson's sets," McKenzie explained. "He creates this environment where creativity flourishes, whether you're a seasoned actor or a musician trying your hand at acting."
The actor-musician also reflected on how his Hobbit experience influenced his subsequent career, including his work on recent projects and his approach to blending music with visual storytelling.
As for whether he'd return to Middle-earth if given the opportunity? "In a heartbeat," McKenzie confirmed. "It's not just about the scale of the films, but about the people. The relationships forged during those productions last a lifetime."
