Lord of the Rings Star Who Turned Down The Hobbit Reveals Conditions for Return

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As a seasoned movie-goer who has witnessed the cinematic tapestry of Middle-earth unfold over the years, I must say that John Rhys-Davies’ contemplation of reprising his iconic role as Gimli the Dwarf in “The Hunt for Gollum” is a tantalizing prospect. The man himself has expressed some reservations about the physical toll that such a role would take, given his advanced age and the arduous process of donning prosthetics and armor.

Studios have been putting in a lot of effort to rekindle the enchantment of “The Lord of the Rings“, yet not every star associated with the series is automatically eager to return. In a chat with Collider, John Rhys-Davies hinted at possibly returning to his role as Gimli the Dwarf, provided filming conditions were more favorable this time. Many enthusiasts and castmates long for the traditional special effects; however, Rhys-Davies specifically mentioned that he hopes advanced CGI will lessen the time spent in the makeup room for him.

As a devoted cinephile, I’ve always been hesitant about donning that prosthetic once more. However, considering the respect and admiration I hold for Andy [Serkis], who has truly evolved over time, if they extend an invitation… Oh boy, would I dare to slip back into that makeup again and bid farewell to my own skin? Perhaps with the help of CGI. In the past, when they asked me to embark on The Hobbit, for example, I declined. Absolutely not, not at all. Times have changed, and so has technology. If I’m spared from spending eight hours a day for three years in that makeup chair, then perhaps I might consider it.

In discussion, Rhys-Davies focused on the forthcoming film adaptation titled “The Hunt for Gollum“, directed by Serkis who’s played the character of Gollum for more than two decades. This movie is slated during the time jump in “The Fellowship of the Ring“, and it heavily revolves around Gandalf and Aragorn, with these characters being central to the storyline. Given this context, several actors have expressed interest in reprising their roles, such as Elijah Wood as Frodo and Orlando Bloom as Legolas. Notably, Rhys-Davies has openly expressed concerns about the production over time, and he remains hesitant about a potential return.

In a recent conversation, the actor mentioned, “Additionally, my body can no longer bear the weight of eighty pounds of additional armor and gear, nor can I scale mountains with it.” Interestingly, Rhys-Davies has previously suggested using CGI instead of prosthetics for his character, a concept that was partially implemented in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, although not universally welcomed by all viewers.

As a devoted cinephile, it seems that Rhys-Davies hasn’t been approached for the upcoming movie “The Hunt for Gollum” as of now, and I can’t predict whether an invitation will come or if his conditions will be satisfied. This film is going to delve into a segment of the tale untouched by Peter Jackson’s films or J.R.R. Tolkien’s books, focusing on the period following Bilbo’s departure from the Shire and Gandalf’s investigation into the One Ring. Once he started to suspect its true nature, he delegated Aragorn to trail Gollum, a mission that was successfully accomplished thanks to his exceptional tracking abilities.

The upcoming movie is set to debut in the year 2026, but specifics about its production are yet to be revealed. In the interim, fans can journey back to Middle-earth as early as next month with “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim“, an animated prequel that will premiere in theaters on December 13th.

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2024-11-14 20:44