In a startling revelation that left audiences gasping, Elijah Wood, the actor synonymous with the role of Frodo Baggins in Peter Jackson's iconic Lord of the Rings film trilogy, has confessed he has never read JRR Tolkien's original fantasy novels. The admission came during an interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, where Wood expressed deep embarrassment over the oversight.
A Decades-Long Omission
Wood, now 45, starred in the blockbuster film series released between 2001 and 2003, yet he never perused Tolkien's literary masterpiece before or after filming. Despite being cast 27 years ago, the actor only recently began tackling the books, which Tolkien penned between 1937 and 1949, though they were not published until the 1950s.
Colbert's Awkward Question
During the interview, Colbert, a noted Tolkien expert, directly addressed the long-standing rumour, asking Wood if it was true he still had not finished reading The Lord of the Rings. Wood laughed nervously, admitting to feeling shame, particularly given Colbert's profound admiration for the author.
"To have it be from you, I feel almost the most embarrassed, Stephen," Wood said. "Because I know no one else in my life that loves Tolkien more than you and has read the books more than maybe anyone."
He did offer a glimmer of hope for fans, revealing, "I'll at least say this. There's an update. I have started them." The books exceed one thousand pages, making it a substantial undertaking for the actor.
New Film Sparks Interest
Wood's decision to finally read the novels may be spurred by the upcoming Lord of the Rings film, The Hunt for Gollum, directed and starring Andy Serkis. Set for release in 2027, the film focuses on the cunning Middle-earth character Serkis portrayed in the original trilogy and the first Hobbit film.
While Sir Ian McKellen is confirmed to return as Gandalf, Wood's involvement as Frodo remains unofficial, though he hinted at a strong possibility in a March 2026 interview with The Times. He mentioned McKellen "let the cat out of the bag" at a convention, suggesting Wood might reprise his role when production begins in New Zealand in July.
"So there is a good chance," Wood said. "I'm not able to officially say anything until it's announced, but I'm thrilled with the prospect of another film." He added that he "certainly wouldn't want anybody else to play Frodo either as long as I'm alive and able."
Other Cast Members Weigh In
Viggo Mortensen, who played Aragorn in the original trilogy, expressed openness to returning in a future film, telling The Independent series Go to Bat he would reprise the role "if it seemed right and was faithful to what Tolkien wrote." However, reports suggest producers are considering Leo Woodall, star of One Day, for the part.
As Wood embarks on his literary journey, fans await both his progress through Tolkien's epic tale and potential return to the silver screen in The Hunt for Gollum, making 2027 a pivotal year for the actor and the franchise.
