Movies

Then & Now: Cast of Lord of the Rings More Than 20 Years Later

written by Lee Jevon

October 27, 2023 2:30 pm

Then & Now: Cast of Lord of the Rings More Than 20 Years Later — Image credit: New Line Cinema, Legion-Media

It’s hard to believe that it’s more than two decades since The Lord of the Rings first hit our screens.

But by this time in 2003, we were already on to the third film in the trilogy.

So, now seems like a good time to have a look at what the cast have been doing since:

Elijah Wood — Frodo

Then & Now: Cast of Lord of the Rings More Than 20 Years Later - image 1

The role of Frodo Baggins remains arguably Elijah Woods’ biggest role to date. After making his film debut in Back to the Future II, Woods went on to star as Huckleberry Finn before landing the role of Frodo. In 2005, he also starred in the football hooligan movie Green Street.

He’s still active and his latest project, a black comedy called The Toxic Avenger is currently in post-production.

Viggo Mortensen — Aragorn

Then & Now: Cast of Lord of the Rings More Than 20 Years Later - image 2

Before appearing in The Lord of the Rings, Viggo Mortensen had already appeared alongside Demi Moore in GI Jane. In the years since his time as Aragorn was up, he’s had a variety of acting roles, including the 2023 movies Eureka and The Dead Don’t Hurt.

Orlando Bloom — Legolas

Then & Now: Cast of Lord of the Rings More Than 20 Years Later - image 3

Orlando Bloom was still relatively new to acting when he landed the role of Legolas. He’d been in Casualty and Midsomer Murders, as well as playing a rent boy in Wilde and appearing in Black Hawk Down.

But he certainly made the most of his opportunity. Since playing Legolas, he’s gone on to appear in Pirates of the Caribbean and Troy. He’s been in a relationship with singer Katy Perry since 2016 and this year appeared in Gran Turismo and Wizards!

John Rhys-Davies — Gimli

Then & Now: Cast of Lord of the Rings More Than 20 Years Later - image 4

The Welsh actor was in the fifth decade of his acting career when he joined the cast of Lord of the Rings. As Sallah in Indiana Jones and General Pushkin in The Living Daylights, he understood what it was like to be in a major movie franchise already.

Gimli became a popular character and may well be his most memorable role for younger film fans. But he’s still going and was back for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny this year.

Andy Serkis — Gollum

Then & Now: Cast of Lord of the Rings More Than 20 Years Later - image 5

One of the first of its kind, this motion-capture role catapulted Serkis into the public eye and made him a famous face. He’d been around for a few years before taking on the part, but it’s fair to say his career has been on an upward trajectory since.

He’s had voice roles in other major movies throughout his career, notably as Capt. Haddock in Tintin and Supreme Leader Snoke in Star Wars. He also appeared in Luther: The Fallen Son in 2023.

Ian McKellen — Gandalf

Then & Now: Cast of Lord of the Rings More Than 20 Years Later - image 6

Ian McKellen needs no introduction. His filmography is immense, and he’s done pretty much everything there is to do on the big screen, the small screen and on stage. His most recent film role saw him play Jimmy Erskine in The Critic.

Sean Astin — Sam

Then & Now: Cast of Lord of the Rings More Than 20 Years Later - image 7

Astin’s debut role on the silver screen saw him play Mikey Walsh in The Goonies. Since playing Sam, Astin has appeared in The Big Bang Theory, Supergirl and, of course, Stranger Things. He remains active and appeared in Perry Mason and The Conners this year.

Liv Tyler — Arwen

Then & Now: Cast of Lord of the Rings More Than 20 Years Later - image 8

Former model Liv Tyler has had a varied acting career with roles in Jersey Girl, Reign Over Me, The Leftovers and Harlots. She played Betty Ross in The Incredible Hulk in 2008 and reprises the role for the 2024 movie Captain America: Brave New World.

Dominic Monaghan — Merry

Then & Now: Cast of Lord of the Rings More Than 20 Years Later - image 9

Monaghan had just a handful of TV roles before being cast as Merry in The Lord of the Rings. It was his first film role and set him up for a new direction in his career. He went on to play Chris Bradley in X-Men Origins: Wolverine. And he spent six years as Charlie Pace in Lost. His career has been quiet since a busy 2022.

Billy Boyd — Pippin

Then & Now: Cast of Lord of the Rings More Than 20 Years Later - image 10

Pippin is Boyd’s biggest role to date, although he’s been relatively busy with smaller roles on TV and in films. A patron of the Scottish Youth Theatre and the National Boys' Choir of Scotland, even when he’s not acting, Boyd is the heart of the entertainment industry.

Sean Bean — Boromir

Then & Now: Cast of Lord of the Rings More Than 20 Years Later - image 11

A veteran of the TV and film industry, Sean Bean is best known these days for playing Ned Stark in Game of Thrones. Boromir is just one major role in a career that has seen the actor play a Bond Villain and hero soldier, Sharpe.

Cate Blanchett — Galadriel

Then & Now: Cast of Lord of the Rings More Than 20 Years Later - image 12

Australian Blanchett is an Academy Award-winning actor who has been appearing on stage and screen for more than 30 years. Most of her recent work has been in movies and her latest project will see her appear as Lilith in Borderlands which is due for release in 2024.