Elijah Wood, the actor behind Frodo Baggins, admits he still hasn’t read all of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings novels—a humbling revelation that underscores the monumental impact of the film trilogy as its 25th anniversary nears, while behind the scenes, the cast maintains a tight-knit bond through daily crossword competitions.
The release of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in December 2001 didn’t just adapt a beloved book series; it created a cultural touchstone that defined a generation of fantasy cinema. Now, as the 25th anniversary approaches, one of its central stars, Elijah Wood, has offered a surprising reflection that fans are dissecting with equal parts amusement and affection.
During an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert to promote his new film Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, Wood, 45, faced a gentle interrogation about his relationship with the source material. Colbert, a known Tolkien superfan, asked how far Wood had gotten into the novels. The actor’s reaction was immediate: laughter and a hint of embarrassment.
“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 replied. This candid moment, reported in People, highlights the enduring personal connection between the actor and the epic he helped bring to life.
Wood’s update is both humorous and poignant: “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 emphasized that he has begun reading the books, but crucially, has not finished all three volumes.
This isn’t a new admission. Back in 2021, Wood previously confessed to Esquire that he never completed the novels, calling them “dense and verbose and incredible and literary and beautiful, but heavy.” He explained his choice at the time: “I found it taxing to read the book with all the work in tandem I was doing on my character. I sort of pivoted my focus to just live in the world of the character as written in the scripts and trust the process.”
“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,” he added then. The 2026 confession shows that, despite starting, the literary journey remains incomplete—a fact that resonates with fans who often feel a personal stake in the cast’s authenticity.
The Cast’s Secret Society: “Shire folk” and Daily Crosswords
Beyond the bookish dilemma, Wood’s interview revealed the vibrant, ongoing camaraderie among the LOTR ensemble. He confirmed that the cast stays connected through a group chat, originally dubbed “The Hobbits” but renamed by co-star Dominic Monaghan to the more subtle “Shire folk.”
“Dom retitled it ‘Shire folk’. It was ‘The Hobbits,’ but he was like, it’s too on the nose,” Wood explained. The chat isn’t just for nostalgia; it’s a daily ritual. “We text each other every day. We do the New York Times mini crossword, and so we share our scores.”
Wood playfully claimed he “usually wins,” while noting that Sean Astin (who played Samwise Gamgee) is “really intelligent and so smart… but he takes a while.” This glimpse into their routine humanizes the legendary cast, showing that even years after wrapping one of cinema’s most demanding productions, they find simple, shared joys. It’s a testament to the deep bonds forged in the New Zealand wilderness that fans have long celebrated.
Glimpses of Middle-earth’s Future: “The Hunt for Gollum”
The conversation took an exciting turn when Colbert mentioned a recent visit from Sir Ian McKellen. The 86-year-old actor, who portrayed Gandalf, shared that he will reprise his role in the upcoming film Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. McKellen also hinted that Wood would return as Frodo.
When asked for comment, Wood remained characteristically cryptic. “I had nothing to add but also nothing to subtract,” he said, a phrase that巧妙ly neither confirms nor denies the rumor. This coy response has ignited speculation among fans about a potential on-screen reunion, especially with the new film moving forward.
The original trilogy featured an ensemble including Viggo Mortensen, Liv Tyler, Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett, Sean Astin, Hugo Weaving, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, and Sean Bean. The possibility of revisiting these characters, even in a new narrative centered on Gollum, fuels immense anticipation as the 25th anniversary milestone arrives.
Why Wood’s Confession Captivates: More Than Just a Book
At first glance, an actor not finishing the books that inspired his most famous role might seem trivial. But in the context of the LOTR phenomenon, it taps into deeper themes that fans care about passionately.
Authenticity vs. Artifice: Wood’s earlier explanation—that he immersed himself in the scripts rather than the text—speaks to the craft of acting. Yet his lingering guilt reveals a desire for completeness that mirrors the audience’s own quest for narrative wholeness. It bridges the gap between the cinematic masterpiece and its literary roots, reminding us that adaptations are distinct interpretations.
Fan Legacy: The 25th anniversary isn’t just a date; it’s a moment for reflection on how these films shaped fantasy storytelling. Wood’s confession, paired with the “Shire folk” group chat, underscores that the legacy is alive in personal relationships, not just in archives. Fans who have reread the books, debated lore, and attended reunions see themselves in this ongoing fellowship.
The Human Element: In an era of blockbuster franchises, Wood’s humility disarms the myth-making. He isn’t the flawless custodian of Tolkien’s world; he’s a fan who, like many, hasn’t tackled the daunting tomes. This relatability strengthens the emotional contract between star and audience, making the cinematic achievement feel even more collaborative.
The 25th Anniversary Wave: A Timeless Saga
With December 2026 marking a quarter-century since The Fellowship of the Ring premiered, the cultural conversation is already building. Streaming availability on HBO Max ensures new audiences discover the trilogy, while original fans celebrate its endurance.
Wood’s revelation acts as a perfect catalyst for this anniversary buzz. It’s a low-stakes, high-connection story that encapsulates why Lord of the Rings remains a living, breathing community rather than a static relic. The books, the films, the cast friendships, and the potential new stories all converge in this simple admission: the journey, whether through Middle-earth or literature, is ongoing.
As fans speculate about The Hunt for Gollum and share their own crossword scores in tribute to the “Shire folk,” Wood’s unfinished reading list becomes a symbol—not of failure, but of perpetual discovery. In Middle-earth, as in life, there’s always another page to turn.
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