Are your Rings colleagues going to be friends for life? Of course. They are all friends—these actors have been with us for nearly four years now.
Why do you think Rings has been so successful? What we set out to do—and we succeeded—was to make the film believable, I mean you are dealing with fantastical elements and characters: Hobbits and cliché characters like Wizards with pointy hats, Dwarves and Orces. I saw the French and Saunders parody, something that was a bit Monty Python, would have been so easy. We have gone in the other direction. We have taken this fantastical world and really grounded it in reality. You look at Aragorn and you believe he what he is. You don’t look at a guy in a costume playing a lost king and all that. Viggo makes him feel earthly and organic and real.
Which role would you like to have played? The character I probably identify most with is Bilbo Baggins—he is sitting at home with his feet up and a pint of ale. I certainly identify more with Bilbo that Frodo; Frodo just goes through too much and becomes so alienate, I couldn’t begin to think what he experiences.
What was the toughest thing you had to do? The scriptwriting has been the hardest and most critical element of it. Beyond the writing, it was achieving the reality and not allowing the visual effects and design of it to make it seem artificial. All movies are artificial, all movies are pretence, and we worked very hard to make our pretence seem as real as possible.
How does it feel to say goodbye? That is the very hard question to answer. I think it is going to be sad, and to some degree a relief. It will be something to be proud of. It is something to put behind us and just say was done. I am comfortable with the fact that my career will in some ways be defined by Lord of the Rings: everything up to Lord of the Rings; and everything happens afterwards. It will sit as this island in the middle, which is fine.
What is your character’s defining moment? Probably the most significant choice that Frodo is that of actually accepting his responsibility and taking the Ring. After that, he then deals with that responsibility over the course of the first two films, and in the coming film it’s about what that ring finally does to him. But the decision to actually take that responsibility on I think defines the character.
Are your Rings colleagues going to be for life? Certainly. I mean, there is a fellowship that has come out of working on this that extends beyond the fellowship of nine, and we’re become like family. I think that’s one of the greatest gifts that the films gave us.
Why do you think Rings has been so successful? It’s kind of a ‘necessary’ thing—there haven’t been the movies like this in a while. It’s almost like old-school filmmaking—you know, the way that it used to be.
Which of the other roles would you like to have played? I love Gollum. I’ve always love Gollum. I don’t know if I would have like to have played Gollum, but I loved him from when I read the Hobbit.
Describe Peter Jackson in three words. Enthusiastic. I’ll change that…Passionate. And…visionary storyteller. Or…mad! Add a fourth.
What is your fondest memory of New Zealand? It’s a simple memory of going to breakfast at either Eva Dixon’s or Fidel’s, which is on Cuba Street. It just became such a common thing that we would do on Sundays, which tended to be normally our only day off, or any other day when we had free time. Normally it would be followed by going to the record store right next door.
What is your favorite piece of Lord of the Rings memorabilia? Because it’s so iconic, it is probably the ring. But I’ve just gotten the Sting, something I’ve wanted to get my hands on for quite a while. So actually I’d say Sting, because the significance behind Sting is that it was originally Bilbo’s sword. Growing up, I was such a fan of the Hobbit and it’s his sword throughout, so I feel like I’ve got even more history having the sword.
How does it feel to day goodbye? It’s mixed. I’ve loved working on these movies so much, and being able to go back every year has been amazing for us because we didn’t want to say goodbye to it in the first place, so we’ve had this reunion every year. But this last time we had to say goodbye. And that was really difficult to accept, and incredibly overwhelming. They gave each actor their own farewell party and Peter Jackson would come up and make a speech, and Barrie (M. Osborne) the producer would make a speech, and we got the clapper from our last take. That was really special, but it drove the point home even more that this was it, and there was this real sense of… “Oh God.” At the same time, we can celebrate the fact that we’ve completed it, and there’s something really wonderful about that—that after four years we’ve come to the end and we can say we’ve done it. Also, the last time, we’ve made such close friends and those friendships will carry on. So in a lot of ways the journey will continue, just in different way.
What are your memories of the first getting the role Gandalf? Thinking, “Oh my God, do I have to read the book?” I though that Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, who came to visit me, were nicely eccentric and tainted by mainstream film industry. That was very attractive. Although it was going to be a studio film., it was to have an independent feel—and so it’s proved.
What’s your character’s defining moment? One that didn’t get much screen time, actually—that’s his revival, his resurrection, his return. Up on the mountain when he simply had to gat back and finish the job, and chastises himself for not having quite attended to what was going on, that we was caught on the hop and had to improvise. The powers that be send him back. So although he seems in Middle-earth to be all power, he actually is the servant of greater power and forces, and that’s when you really see that.
Why do you think Rings has been so successful? It’s a true adventure story—it makes you feel weepy and at the same time it makes you feel scared and excited. You’ve never seen anything like it. For all its technology and trickery, Peter deflects attention away from the fact that he’s using state-of-the-art film magic. You just assume that Gollum is what he seems to be. You assume that really is Middle-earth you’re looking at. Every single department is working at full stretch, and I don’t that Howard Shore has written any better music than this. Peter himself is stretched, and not found wanting, the actors are very strong indeed, and the cinematography is magnificent; costumes, the design generally—everyone was working at full stretch. Of course, there are quite a few people who simply don’t like the genre or think it’s not for them. Well, I’m sorry but there are certain sorts of movie that I don’t go and see that other people would find very attractive and swear by. I suspect if [those who have avoided the trilogy] could be dragged to the cinema, they would have to at least admire it and I suspect it would begin to take him over.
Which of the other roles would you have like to have played? Frodo, the young adventurer, the brave boy who’s not found wanting and doesn’t return home. And he’s all over New Zealand, the Frodo figure: young, fresh-faced kids who went off on a journey outside New Zealand to fight evil under someone else’s orders and never made it home. Frodo’s one of those. I’m sure Tolkien was thinking about his own son, who was in World War II fighting evil.
Describe Peter Jackson in three words. Humorous…Determined…Shy.
What is your favorite piece of LOTR memorabilia? I pinched the keys to Bag End, the small keys and the large keys because there were two Bag End sets. So I do have those. But I like the lizard door handles from Orthanc that I’ve got, that are crawling around my study.
What was the toughest thing you had to do? The most unpleasant thing was the snow, being buried din the snow. It wasn’t real snow in the studio and it got into every orifice, down your throat, up your nose, in your ears—it was disgusting!!!
Why do you think Rings has been so successful? I think if the stories were in the hands of a less unique and bizarre mind, someone who was unprepared to go into the darkness, they wouldn’t be as rich. It is all about Peter Jackson.
Describe Peter Jackson in three words. An unqualified genius.
What is your fondest memory of New Zealand? Making the film was fantastic, a grand, epic adventure on and off the screen. One of those things that only happens once on the lifetime to an actress. In fact, the shooting location has become a sort of pilgrimage site. At the time, Tolkien fans would come to gather stones and objects and ask me to photograph them!!! It was also just so interesting to watch how they put it all together—this was such a huge production with a lot of special effects and make-up, and incredible costumes and everything.
What is your favorite piece of LOTR memorabilia? I basically did it so I could have the ears. They were so sweet, because they actually made little bronze castings of my ears. I love all that stuff.
What was the toughest thing you had to do? Because Elves are so tall, I had to wear these 70’s glam platform boots that I would clop around in when I was meant to be gliding. I had a lot of difficult gliding!!!
What are your memories of the first getting the role of Elrond? I worked with Barrie Osborne on The Matrix and he asked me whether I’d be interested in playing Elrond, the Elf lord, which came as a surprise to me as I though the film had already been cast. Anyway, he said, “Come over to New Zealand,” so I went visited Peter and Fran and they showed me 20 minutes of footage, and no sooner was it over than I’d said, “yes.”
What is your character’s defining moment? In the whole series, I’d say it’s the scene with the council at Rivendell where the Fellowship are brought together. In ROTK, there’s a sequence where Elrond challenges Aragorn to live up to his responsibilities and taken on his mantle as a leader of Men. That is also a defining moment.
Describe Peter Jackson in three words. Intelligent, child-like, Hobbit.
Why do think Rings has been so successful? In a word: Peter. I think there was always an audience for the trilogy, but he had the vision to turn a dream into a remarkable series of films.
What is your fondest memory of New Zealand? We’d been shooting in the mountains for about a week and a half and we got up early in the morning to find the landscape covered in snow. So there we were, and army in Elvish costume, with snow on the ground and a beautiful mist coming over—it was just amazing.
What is your favorite piece of LOTR memorabilia? I was given an Elven sword as a parting gift. It’s a beautiful-made weapon—it epitomizes the attention to detail on these films that is what really sets them apart. God knows what I’m going to do with it, mind.
What was the toughest thing you had to do? I’d have to say learning reams and reams of dialogue at the last minute. And because Viggo and I were keen to have as much Elvish in the film as possible, we were often not on;y having to learn new lines, but having to learn them in Elvish.
How does it feel to say goodbye? I don’t feel that I have said goodbye to it, actually. I keep thinking I’m done, and then I have to come back and do something else. Perhaps after the world premiere I’ll finally feel that this chapter of my life is over.
What are your memories of the first getting the role of Boromir? I was with my two eldest kids, driving down the M1 to London, and I got the phone call. I was over the moon; I could hardly keep control of the car. It was a great feeling because it had gone backwards and forwards.
What is your character’s defining moment? I think the most definitive is when I’ve been shot full of arrows and I’m lying in Aragorn’s arms. I say something like, “I wish I’d known then what I know now. I can see now.” That gave Boromir a peaceful passage into the next world; it’s more of a self-realization. It’s the only way he can escape the hold the ring has over him.
Describe Peter Jackson in three words. Hairy, clever and he’s very Hobbit-like. I’m sure everyone’s said that…And funny. He’s a very funny man.
What is your fondest memory of New Zealand? One of the things that made a big impression on me was going into Rivendell, just seeing that set for the first time. It was one of those rare times you walk onto a set and it’s almost complete. It gave some idea of the dedication people had put on it. It was like when you’re a kid walking into Disneyland, or Santa’s grotto.
Are your Rings colleagues going to be friends for life? I’ve kept in touch with Viggo. Out of everyone we seemed to get on very well. We’re similar ages and we have similar outlooks in many ways. But we all got on great. And I got the tattoo, of course. It’s on me shoulder here. No, hang on, that’s me Sheffield United tattoo. It’s on the other side.
What is your favorite piece of LOTR memorabilia? I’ve got a framed letter I was sent, written on old parchment with a quill pen. It’s from Frodo Baggins and it says, “Dear Boromir, even tough you’ve gone, your memory still lives on.” It mentions me being tempted by the Ring and that I’m forgiven. I think all the characters got something similar. But it’s quite something to me; it’ll always bring back good memories.
What was the toughest thing you had to do? Actually, flying in the helicopters was one of the worst things for me. At the time I was terrified of flying, especially in those things. I was checking the call sheets every day to see if there was any helicopter travel. I’d like, “Oh f**k.” Me and Orlando flew through a storm one day. It was blowing a gale, very grey and rainy, like the Yorkshire Moors, and this helicopter was swinging around in the wind. I had an iron grip on Orlando’s thigh for the whole journey.
What are your memories of the first getting the role of Theoden? I’ve found out recently that I’m allowed to say I[was asked to] put myself on tape of a different role. But the idea of going over to New Zealand for 20 months and uprooting family to play Gandalf didn’t really appeal. It shows how mistaken people can be—now there is not the tiniest fraction of a second of regret in being involved [as Theoden]. I was directing a play and they said, “Would you like to put yourself on tape for Theoden?” I got to realize what a mistake I had made not even attempting to go for Gandalf.
What is your character’s defining moment? in third film, just a fraction of time before we take the final ride to the Pelennor Fields, Aragorn got off, and basically Gamling (Bruce Hopskins) says, “Oh, he’s gone, we’re f**ked.” And theoden, because of the kind of arc of progress, says, “He has gone off, yeah, and I regret it.” And Gamling says, “But we can’t beat the armies of Mordor.” And Theoden turns and says “No, we can’t, but we will meet them in the battle nonetheless.” Whatever else he feels, that’s his finest moment.
Describe Peter Jackson in three words. Short. Rotund. Genius. Are your Rings colleagues going to be friends for life? I would think so. Not everybody, obviously, because I didn’t get to know everybody at the same level. Certainly verybody who was in the C-Bago (Hill shared a make-up Winnebago with Viggo and Orlando—they christened themselves the Cunty-Bago Club).
Which of the other roles would you like to have played? Well, obviously Gandalf. And I do wish I’d been handsome enough, fit enough and young enough to played Aragorn.
How does it feel to say goodbye? Leaving the first time was such a huge wrench. Especially because of the C-Bago, it was like our club. Fortunately we managed to get it back for ROTK reshoots, so ROTK was the Return of the C-Bago. We actually drove it out onto the streets for Viggo’s farewell. Viggo didn’t know we were going to do it, and when it started moving, you should have seen his face. I kept shouting, “Cunty libre! Cunty libre!” And the bus start leaving—we were breaking free.
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How did you get involved? I first met Peter Jackson and Fran, together with the casting director, here in London, where they videoed me reading a scene between Gandalf and either Frodo or Bilbo. It was something I’d always dream about. And so, consequently, I went to meeting in a church off Tottenham Court Road and we just chatted briefly. I told him that I read the books all those years ago when they came out, and that I also read them every year since. So he realised that I was probably more acquainted with the work more than any other member of the cast, which I would say is still probably true. And we talked and chatted and I read this scene, and he actually directed me slightly, and I remembered thinking at the time, “He can’t be talking to me about playing Gandalf, much as I would dream of playing Gandalf, ‘cause I’m too old.”
What is your character’s defining moment? The scene where Gandalf realized that I’ve changed is very important of course, ‘ cause I have to switch character totally and imprison him on the top of the tower. The scenes with my opinions, the Orcs and the Uruk-Hai, are important because that is my power. The scene with Palantiri (crytal globes) are vital too, because I can see what’s going on. I think I’m more powerful than Suaron, I think—or Saruman thinks—that I’m going to become the Lord of the Rings. And right up to the end I think he believes that he can get away with it. I wouldn’t there was any defining moment because they’re all extremely important.
Describe Peter Jackson in three words. He’s a genius. I know that a word that is used far too often in this day and age. I’ve only used it in my life, I think, with regard to four people—one was Orson Welles, one was Chaplin, then Peter Jackson. The other would be George Lucas.
Why do you think Rings has been so successful? I think there’s a very simple answer to that—nobody’s ever seen anything like it before in the history of cinema, and they never will again.
What was the toughest thing you had to do? Well, the hardest thing was to try and sort of ‘glide’ up the steps to the throne, you might say. I was actually having to hold up my skirts—you couldn’t see it—but I was actually having to hold them up otherwise I tripped all the time, because I trod on the end of the robe. That, oddly enough, was the hardest thing to do. The fight with Gandalf was hard, physically, because we did quite a lot of it ourselves. That was tough, particularly at my age.
Which of the other roles would you like to have played? Of course, I would have wanted to play Gandalf, if I were much younger. I always dreamed of playing him if the Lord of the Rings was ever made as a movie, but I mean, the point is that facts are facts, and by the time they came around to making the film I was too old. I’ve said this in front of Ian, and he quite understands. Who wouldn’t?
How does it feel to say goodbye? Well, it’s been an epic journey for all of us. It’s been unique for all of us. We shall never experience the like again, in my opinion, ever. You know, if Peter doesn’t get the Oscar, I’m going to resign from the Academy. I mean, they’ve got to give the film, or the films, Best Film. They have to.
What is your character’s defining moment? I think it will be in the third movie, with the Mukakil (elephant-like creature). I’ve seen it. Pete loved the audience’s response to me running over the top of the Cave-troll, sliding down the stairs and swinging up onto the horse. But I think the defing moment will be the moment at the end with Mumakil. He wanted to top all of that, so we shot something on the reshoots which will hopefully do that, and it’s real ‘Leggy moment’, do you know what I mean? It’s a real Peter Jackson-Leggy moment, definitely a Peter Jackson-Leggy moment.
Describe Peter Jackson in three words. Heart( of a Hobbit). Cool (like an Elf). Mad (as a Wizard).
Are your Rings colleagues going to be friends for life? Absolutely. I mean, Billie (Boyd) and Dom (Monaghan) just came down to Mexico to come surfing for a wekk or so. Viggo (Mortensen) was a mentor and, like, a bit of a hero. He was a real guide and a real education to be around.
Why do you think Rings has been so successful? I think Tolkien created a world where there were no limits, and I think Peter Jackson captured the essence of that in the way that he directed the films. And people have totally bough into it.
Which of the other roles would you like to have played? I don’t know, so hard to say, isn’t it? But I suppose Aragorn: going from a Ranger to a king, starting from nowhere and really assuming the responsibility of becoming a king. I love that character. I think Viggo was the perfect man to play it, the perfect actor. So if I can be so bold as to say that character, because I think he’s pretty much the man.
What is your favorite piece of LOTR memorabilia? Bow and arrow…in terms of the movie stuff, but I was also given the clapperboard from my final shot. That’s serious memorabilia, because that’s like part of the workings of the film. It means so much to me.
What was the toughest thing you had to do? Helm’s Deep, night shoots. Pretty grueling. And I wasn’t even on call constantly for the three months, but that whole period was pretty grueling. And the last three weeks of filming, just sometimes—18-hour days, mostly six-day weeks at that point, was really tough.
How does it feel to say goodbye? Very emotional. It’s nice, in a way, to lay it to rest. And also knowing that it’s a film that’s part of cinema history, but it’s a very emotional ending, a very sad sort of ending to feel that this chapter is finally coming to a close. When I donned the blond wig and pointy ears for the last time in New Zealand, I was really moved at the end of the last shot, and Pete said a few words and the stunt guys did a haka. It really bought me close to tears. Suddenly I realized how fortunate I had been, having had now numerous other experiences which have all been different and new and exciting. I was just remembered of how special the relationship on this film were
What is your character’s defining moment? Sam has a moment at the end of the first film and a moment at the end of the second film, and I think two or three moments in the third film that are his character-defining moments: when something has to give, when he has to decide what he’s gonna do, and he chooses to do the right thing. I don’t want to talk about it and spoil it.
Describe Peter Jackson in three words. Totally f**king cool.
Are your Rings colleagues going to be friends for life? Yeah.
Why do you think Rings has been so successful? Because so much passion and dedication was put into them. You just can’t overstate the volume of J.R.R Tolkien’s life work, and how the ideas and characters and the story resonate with people. But to just answer it simply, for the sake of an interview question: because the films were made with love.
What is your favorite piece of LOTR memorabilia? They gave Sam’s pack with his pots and pans and bedroll…I carried that thing around with me for 18 months, so it’s nice to know it will be in my home!!!
What was the toughest thing you had to do? The toughest thins was just being so fat and having to be agile, having lost the natural elasticity of my body doesn’t handle the way it should around corners. So that was the hardest thing. And just the sheer endurance of the process, trying to keep it fresh and keep yourself up and awake and alive.
How does it feel to say goodbye? A little sad. It’s hopefully not that I love Sam too much…I don’t know, it’s a movement, it’s a way of life—it’s half a decade of all of our lives and it’s coming to a close. It’s a little bittersweet and sad and melancholy at times, and then exhilarating and relieving—we’re ready to start some new adventure.
What are your memories of the first getting the role of Merry? I was in France, making a TV programme and having French summer, having a nice little actor-ly life. I’d been for an audition for Lord of the Rings about five months before and then though nothing of it. And me agent called up and said, “Hey, they offered you the part,” and I got off the phone and was grinning from ear to ear. I was like, “I’ve just been offered a part in LOTR,” and the whole van just went completely silent. So I got back that night and went out and got f**king arseholed.
What is your character’s defining moment? This is going to be the ultimate spoiler, but Merry does something in the third movie where he essentially saves the life of a very important character by wounding another very important character. But more than anything, Merry’s greatest achievement is getting through it. You’ve got Frodo and Sam having this terrible journey through Mordor, and Pippin’s with Gandalf, but Merry’s on his own. He’s on his own and he’s on the frontline. In the battle of The Pelennor Fields, Merry’s in there, on the horse, riding onto battle.
What is your fondest memory of New Zealand? Learning to surf. I’ll take it with me the rest of my life. We were actually banned from doing it. Viggo got stabbed in the eye with the surfboard during the Mines of Moria shoot. There’s actually a couple of scenes where you only see Viggo from the side because he’s got a crazy shiner. We were shitting ourselves! But by that point, I think we’d done enough work so we couldn’t get fired.
Describe Peter Jackson in three words. Awww…Visionary. Has that been used yet? Intense. Father.
What would you say to the six people who don’t enjoy the trilogy? I would relish someone coming up to me and saying, “I didn’t like that film.” It does feel like the whole of the world likes LOTR, but there must be people who don’t—‘cause otherwise we’d be a world all drink Coca-Cola and eat pepperoni pizza. And that’d be pretty boring, yeah?
What is your favorite piece of LOTR memorabilia? When we went to get our tattoos done, I brought my diary and I’ve got Billy and Viggo and Elijah and Ian, and basically everyone in the Fellowship writing about what had just happened.
Which of the other roles would you like to have played? I like Aragorn and Gollum. They’re really interesting character and the journeys that they make are great.
How does it feel to say goodbye? it’ll be sad in a lot of ways. We said to Peter that he has to bring us all together every year to reminisce and party.
What are your memories of first getting involved with the project? Peter rang me up and just described the movie to me. I vaguely knew they were making a movie of LOTR, but I didn’t know much about it. I didn’t know Peter at all. So I went down to see him in New Zealand, and once I got off the plane and saw what they were doing there…it was so phenomenal to see the dedication to the story. You know, once I saw the level of commitment to it, I could not not do it.
What is your fondest memory of New Zealand? We—I say “we” because it was myself and my wife Elizabeth—travelled down the South Island where they filmed a lot of TTT. New Zealand is a real inspiration for the music. A lot of the music was written there. Like, the whole Moria sequence going into the Doors of Durin, right up to Gandalf’s fall, was all written and recorded in Wellington.
Describe Peter Jackson in three words. True, trustworthy companion.
Which role would you like to have played? I guess Frodo, I would say. I left the burden that he did—I felt it having taken on the project. So when Frodo was given the ring to take, it was like me agreeing to write this 11-hour epic score for the classic novel of the 20th century and do a good job. That’s quite a task, you know, to set out to do. And I would say Frodo, even at the end, by climbing Mount Doom feels like finishing ROTK score.
How does it feel to say goodbye? You don’t really want it to the end. You just wish you had a longer period working on it. They’ll just dragging you away from it.
What have been your defining moment? If I have to choose one, it would probably be sitting in the Golden Hall, on Theoden’s throne, and looking around at all the rich detail—and, for a moment, forgetting that I was in a studio, and that what I was looking at was several tons of painted polystyrene and custom board; just traveling back in time to a place where people would have gathered to listen to stories like the one we were all trying to tell.
Describe Peter Jackson in three words. It’s hard to describe anyone in three words without resorting to clichés—which is something Peter never does. He is a brilliant storyteller, with tremendous vision and energy and an unflagging enthusiasm for everything he is involved in.
Are your Rings colleagues going to be friends for life? I hope they’ll all come to visit me when I’m settled back in England.
What would you say to the six people who don’t enjoy the trilogy? Well, it’s a great story, beautifully told. Peter won’t allow as much as one frame which is either boring or irrelevant into the final cut of his films. So are these six people related?!
Which role would you like to have played? I had a couple of appearances which were fairly appropriate, one as an old king, beguiled by the gift of a ring, and the other as a refugee at Helm’s Deep. I don’t think my acting skills are up to anything more demanding.
What was the toughest thing you had to do? Overall, this has been the most intense and sustained period hard work that I’ve ever been engaged in.
What is your character’s defining moment? My character goes from being kind of renegade in TTT to rejoining the kingdom of Rohan, and eventually goes on to aid the Fellowship.
What is your fondest memory of New Zealand? I was about to shoot one of the larger sequences and I wanted to discuss it with Peter Jackson. We sat down while the crew dismantled the set to move it to the next location. We must have chatted for 40 minutes. The collaboration was so intense that when I looked up, there was nobody else around. It was just Peter and myself sitting on the side of a hill.
Describe Peter Jackson in three words. A diamond geezer.
Why do you think Rings has been so successful? I think because of Peter Jackson and the cast got the humanistic element right. It’s not a special effects-driven film; it’s character-driven film. You feel for these characters.
What would you say to the six people who don’t enjoy the trilogy? “F**k off, wally.”
What is your favorite piece of LOTR memorabilia? At the end of shooting I was presented with my helmet. I haven’t actually got it, they then immediately took it back, to finish shooting with it.
What was the toughest thing you had to do? The fight sequences—you’re doing sort of 20-point sword moves. You are trying to be sort of lithe and dextrous under a ton of armour, and you’ve only got so many takes before you are absolutely f**ked.
How does it feel to say goodbye? It feels good to get closure. You know, I’m looking forward to the next film being completed and getting out there. But you know, I’m sad that perhaps I will never have the opportunity to physically be in Middle-earth again. That was special.
What is your character’s defining moment? I was like, “Oh my goodness, what am I getting myself into? Will they like me? How the hell will I be able to speak Elvish?!”
What is your character’s defining moment? Finally getting to be with her sweet love Aragorn after so much waiting.
What is your fondest memory of New Zealand? The sweetness of the people and their true enthusiasm for the films. And (herbalist) Margaret Hema’s facials and products.
Describe Peter Jackson in three words. Kind, strong, Hobbit!
Why do you think Rings has been so successful? I don’t think I’m so good at answering question like this.
Are your Rings colleagues going to be friends for life? Yes, absolutely. Hopefully I will be able to keep in touch with everyone. Though I have the biggest soft spot for Orlando, my little Elvin brother. And I adore Fran (Walsh) and Philippa (Boyens), the extraordinary writer and my inspiration for all of Arwen.
What is your favorite piece of LOTR memorabilia? My Elvin sword that Peter and Fran gave to me when I wrapped the films. Though I’m still waiting for it to get through customs.
Which of the other roles would you like to have played? Bill the Pony.
What was the toughest thing you had to do? Act with a pink golf ball instead of other actors. And learning to ride horses.
How does it feel to say goodbye? In some ways it feels like graduating from high school for me. I feel emotional and scared of what comes next. Though I feel excited, after four years of hard work, to move on with my life. And take what I have learned as an actress and a person and apply it to the future.
what are your memories of first getting the role of Gimli? I didn’t want to play Gimli. An actor spends all of his life trying to be recognized, and it seemed quite absurd to actually end up putting full prosthetic on. But I finally got bullied into this. My agent said, “If you turn this part down, I don’t think I can represent you ever again.” Ben, said, “Dad, with all due respect, if you turn this down, you’re nuts.” I said, “Why is that?” And he said, “Well, think about it: in every bookshop in the reading world since 1954, there have been at least two feet of book-space devoted to Tolkien. Think about what that means.” Thank God there’s some bright spark in the family.
What is your character’s defining moment? When he meets the queen of the Elves, having said, “There’s a great sorceress in tis forest and when men set their eyes on her, they’re enchanted.” I remember once, I had the chance to meet Julie Christie. Her beauty was so incandescent that it made my bones ache. That’s what I was looking for it Gimli.
What is your fondest memory of New Zealand? Lovely country, lovely people. Everyone should go to New Zealand. I just bought a few acres of olive trees—dwarf olives, I have to add—and that’s my excuse.
Describe Peter Jackson in three words. The. Great. Director.
Are your Rings colleagues going to be friends for life? Well, we tend to be working actors. But if you know that somebody’s going to be working on a film with someone—say, if young Orlando is on a film and I know someone who’s going out there—I say, “Send my felicitations to young Orlando.” I have very happy memories of the wonderful, strong and lovely gentleman, Sean Bean. I was so impressed by our young Frodo, he was so mature, so giving, such a consummate professional. We didn’t have enough of the girls, but Liv was wonderful. And the lovely Cate. Viggo is such an all-round gifted man. Viggo could earn his living as a photographer. He could earn his keep as a painter. Viggo’s poetry is very strong, he is such a charming and yet forceful and dynamic man. And I have the deepest admiration for Sir Ian McKellen. By God, he’s my friend and I love him. And we must start campaigning to knight Christopher Lee. Christopher is a real war hero. I cannot praise Christopher too highly.
What would you say to the six people who don’t enjoy the trilogy? I believe in absolute freedom of the press, but I also believe that you should be allowed to take a horsewhip to somebody if he upsets you. A perfectly reasonable solution.
What was the toughest thing you had to do? I spent a huge amount of time thinking and worrying about Treebeard and I still do. I lost sleep over it. I didn’t lost any sleep over Gimli. But I don’t think Treebeard’s as wonderful a character as I hoped he would be. Sometimes you dream about a character and he seems so much better. We hane avoided failure, and a lot of people say it’s one of their favorite characters but, for me, the jury is still out.
What is your character’s defining moment? My defining moment? (after a very long pause) Right off the top of my head, I would say that whatever words or gestures that any of the members of the Fellowship use they say essentially the same thing…Essentially say “yes’ to the call to adventure, to go on the quest. The Council of Elrond is the true beginning of the story, and, in fast, that is the most important thing in Tolkien; what he emphasizes the most is free will. The moment when each of the future members of the Fellowship says yes to that call to adventure, to that quest,, is probably a defining…in some ways probably the defining moment for all of them. Obviously Aragorn was shepherded, or whatever you want to call it, [The Hobbits]—he’s guided the Hobbits from Bree to Rivendell, but it’s at the Council of Elrond when, in the movie FOTR, Aragorn says, “If by my life or death I can protect you, I will.” That is the most defining moment. I mean, the most important moment for Aragorn in ROTK is, without ruining the movie, the moment that he turns and looks at Gandalf, Gimli, Legolas, Merry, Pippin, the army of Rohan and the army of Gondor, and simply says, “For Frodo.” That would be the defining moment of that movie for the character.
What is your fondest memory of New Zealand? Memory? I think you’re talked to me before so you know haw bad I am at these kinds of short answers. I’m trying to formulate one…In the sincere hope that my experiences in New Zealand will not remain only a memory, I will say that my fondest memory of New Zealand is, I hope, still to come.
Describe Peter Jackson in three words. A decent man.
Are your Rings colleagues going to be friends for life? Without question.
Why do you think Rings has been so successful? Because it’s true story.
What is your favourite piece of Lord of the Rings memorabilia? Compassion.
Which role would you like to have played? I can’t really separate them. I can’t hold them apart. I can’t make them…I can’t even imagine a single character in the greater Fellowship in isolation, which is, I think, the strength of the story and the strength of the experience.
What was the toughest thing you had to do? The absence from my son. I don’t think he has regrets, and neither do I, about me having gone and been part of it, but it’s still been a long time. That was for me personally the highest price.
what are your memories of first getting the role of Gollum? A sense of fear because this character is so well loved. I just thought that if this in any way went wrong, I would get lynched. When I first got the call that they were doing films of LOTR and were looking for the voice of an animated character, I just went, “There must be a dozen decent parts in that film, can’t you get me one of those?” I just wasn’t keen. Then Lorraine, my wife, just said, “Durr, this is Gollum.”
What is your character’s defining moment? Obviously the multi-personality scene. When I watched it with an audience for the first time, I tangibly felt that they going inside this character’s head. As I said, up until then we weren’t quite sure it was going to work. That is the moment I am the most proud of because we shot it as a monologue, a three-minute scene where I play both sides of his character. With Return, everybody is looking forward to deciding whether he is good or bad, that is still remains ambiguous, right up until the final moment. At this moment in time I’m until entirely sure what the final moments are. There are slightly different versions and I don’t know which Pete is going to use.
Describe Peter Jackson in three words. [Everest conqueror Edmund] Hilary of films.
Are your Rings colleagues going to be friends for life? It is unavoidable, really—we’ll end up seeing each other at conversation for rest of our lives… With the way Gollum was being done, I was an oddity, and I used that—I did spent a lot of time in isolation on my own and played that into the character. Still, at the end of the day we still got together and had some pints.
Why do you think Rings has been so successful? people are so used to thinking they are learning from reality, and actually there are greater human truths that are told in this story about human relationships. What is fascinating is that because it is set in such a fantastical landscape, both psychological and physical, one would think that it wouldn’t effect people, but people have been really taken by it.
What is your favorite piece of LOTR memorabilia? I was given the ring on my birthday. It was my birthday and I wanted it. That was a really special present. We all got given the slate of our last shot on set. It is like a Damien Hirst and is preserved in Perspex. The other thing was that we all got given fantastic blooper reels—mine was particularly hilarious: all the animation cock-ups and me prancing around in my suit until the cows come out.
How does it feel to say goodbye? I feel it is about time to move on and play other characters. It would be nice to act in trousers again.
what are your memories of first getting the role of Gollum? Smeagol actually read for Galadriel. But nice master Peter thought Smeagol was perfect for Gollum. Smeagol doesn’t see it himself. He’s lying.
What is your character’s defining moment? Diving for the tasty fish. Smeagol so hungry! Lies! All lies! Kicking the stupid, fat hobbit was fun!
What is your fondest memory of New Zealand? Smeagol loved the mountains and streams. We hated every minute and everyone! Especially that Andy Serkis! Glory-hogging wolf-faced turd!
Describe Peter Jackson in three words. Kind. Gentle. Hack!
Are your Rings colleagues going to be friends for life? Smeagol likes all of them, but feels attached to Gollum. That nasty Smeagol plagues us. Cursesssse him!
What would you say to the six people who don’t enjoy the trilogy? Do not ask poor Smeagol. Smeagol only wants to please Master—shut up, you frog-eyed, Bobby Charlton look alike! Make that seven people! We hatessss it! Hatessssss it, we do!
Which of the other roles would you like to have played? Master Frodo. We’ll stick with Gollum, won’t we, my presiousssss? All the others are boring!
What was the toughest thing you had to do? Fight with nice Master Sean and Elijah. They’re good masters, kind to poor Smeagol. It was all easy. What we really wants to do is direct, doesn’t we, my precioussss? We wants it!
How does it feel to say goodbye? Really sad. So many memories, and so many friends—gone! You don’t have any friends! Nobody likes you! Go away and never come back! Nasty Hobbitses!
Oh! English is fun!!!!!!! Now, I feel I lose my capacity for reading English! Could anybody please translate English into Thai? Please help me.....help me......help me........ I'll thank you for your kindness. Well, I must admire Melkor for trying to type these messages above. Thank you so much!!!!
English is fun
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