Depending on who's being asked, it can be either an actor's greatest ambition or their most terrifying nightmare to become almost entirely known for a single role. On one hand, there are people like Tom Hanks, who is famously versatile and well-regarded for playing a huge number of acclaimed characters. But on the other side of the coin, there are stars like Emma Watson, a fantastic actress with plenty of roles on her resume, but many still only see her as Hermione Granger.
There's nothing wrong with being either type of actor, though it certainly doesn't hurt when that fame comes from taking part in a juggernaut franchise like Harry Potter (J.K. Rowling's horrific transphobia aside). So it's particularly comforting to hear that one star from another extremely well-known franchise is not only fine with this notion, but is even grateful to be forever tied to such an influential story. Elijah Wood may be more than just Frodo Baggins from The Lord of the Rings, but it turns out he's cool with the fame of a hobbit.
In a recent interview with CinemaBlend, Wood mused about how the role still follows him to this day, and likely will for the rest of time itself. But again, he's got a pretty chill outlook on the whole thing. "I accepted a long time ago that I would forever be linked to Frodo, so it doesn’t bother me," Wood said. "Honestly, it would be such a sad burden if it did. [Laughs.] I'm so used to people on the street calling me Frodo and not calling me by my name. It's representative of one of the greatest experiences of my life, movies that I adore and memories that I'll cherish forever. At the end of my days, that is what I will be linked to probably more than anything else." It certainly sounds daunting when he lays it out like that, but he then went on to put things in perspective.
"I can only equate it to similar scenarios like Mark Hamill or Harrison Ford," Wood continued. "They are associated with their classic [Star Wars] characters more than others. Now that we're standing on the precipice of 20 years, which is so difficult to comprehend, my reflection is one of such gratitude and such love that I'll never be upset at being associated with those films or for them being the largest in people's memories of who I am." It's kind of funny in a weird way to hear Wood talk about the other stars like this, particularly given how Ford famously wanted Han Solo dead long before Star Wars: The Force Awakens. But the thought is still pretty heartwarming.
There's no denying that Wood's career is an enviable one even aside from The Lord of the Rings. He's enjoyed plenty of substantial roles on both sides of that iconic franchise, spanning from Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind to a bit role as a kid in Back to the Future Part II and even a recent (and substantial) voice appearance as Nick Johnsmith in the absolutely incredible 2021 game Psychonauts 2. So his continued fame as Frodo despite not playing the character in nearly a decade (don't forget his cameo in the first Hobbit movie) isn't the only leg he has to stand on.
Still, his acceptance of such a unique burden shows a particular strength of character that proves he's worthy of such accolades. Wood's role as Frodo doesn't erase his long-running career of genuinely wonderful performances. But as far as fame goes, he could certainly do a lot worse.
Source: CinemaBlend
