It wasn’t so much Elijah by himself that made his Frodo great.
It was the chemistry and dynamic he had with other actors, especially Astin. The way they played off of each other made the movies great. It was synergy. Mind you, Astin killed it as Sam. Just a brilliant performance, and he could have carried anyone as Frodo the way Sam carried Frodo.
But the two of them? Possibly the most amazing duo performance I’ve ever seen. They made each other better, and the way they expressed the lines together was bloody art. I genuinely don’t think there are many actors that could have paired up as well as they did.
Are there other actors that could have done a better Frodo in other ways? I wouldn’t argue with anyone that said yes. There’s certainly plenty that could have done as well (though Wood does bring a delicate vulnerability to the role that’s hard to deny).
I’ve seen suggestions of alternative casting for every role, but I can’t think of any for Frodo and Sam that would have been so magical.
I think Elijah Wood did a great Frodo, but one very different from the books. Now, the same PJ LOTR but with a middle-aged academic/retired-gardener/country-gentleman as Frodo… that would be interesting.
He’s the reason I can’t watch the movies. Something about his face is off putting. I don’t blame the guy, that’s just the face he’s got, but it makes me uncomfortable somehow.
I actually agree with you 100 percent. I really did not like the way Elijah Wood played Frodo. His facial expressions any time he’s in pain or scared just ruin the scene for me.
Elijah was not that special but that also gave it a certain charm. The cast around him became more prominent as the “main character” was more of a side character that existed to be escorted.
Production began in October of 1999. I can’t find a definitive date for casting but I’m guessing it would have been '99 as well.
Martin Freeman would have been “acting” for all of 2 years with basically 1 short and a couple of minor TV appearances to his name.
Elijah Wood and Sean Astin each had been working for over a decade when cast, with dozens of credits each.
Not saying Martin couldn’t have done it (I think he would have nailed the role!), but it would have been a BOLD choice to cast a total newcomer to the lead of your $250M moonshot of a trilogy.
Martin Freeman wasn’t a good Bilbo, would have been even worse as Frodo, and a disgrace as Arthur Dent. He was good in Fargo though. And plays a good Watson.
However Martin Sheen would have been magnificent. Watch him in Good Omens - Bilbo to a tea!
The only thing I did not like about casting Elijah Wood (and don’t get me wrong I love him as Frodo) is that he was a bit too young for the role. Frodo is supposed to be in his fifties when he sets out from the Shire. Sam and Merry are about the same age but are more than 10 years younger than Frodo. In age Martin Freeman would have been better but by temperament Elijah was the better Frodo. Bilbo is more of a “fuck it, let’s do this” kind of guy whereas Frodo is much more deliberate and cautious. Martin Freeman was also an amazing choice for Bilbo.
During the 15 or so years when technically Frodo possessed the ring he never used it. The first time he put it on was in Bree. I doubt he was much affected by it during those years.
As time went on, people began to notice that Frodo also showed signs of good ‘preservation’: outwardly he retained the appearance of a robust and energetic hobbit just out of his tweens. ‘Some folk have all the luck,’ they said; but it was not until Frodo approached the usually more sober age of fifty that they began to think it queer.
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