MSN Live Chat with Elijah Wood - 2002

DishDiva says: Welcome to MSN Live! This afternoon we are pleased to welcome Elijah Wood (Frodo) who stars in the new film "The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers."

Elijah_Wood_Live says: Hello everyone around the world. There aren't many opportunities to say something like that!

DishDiva says: Elijah, this film has become such a phenomenon. When you first accepted this role did you have any idea it would become this worldwide hit?

Elijah_Wood_Live says: I didn't. I think I assumed it would have a pretty wide apeal, but I didn't expect it to become as massive as it's become, I don't think any of us did. I think part of it came from immersing ourselves in the land of New Zealand, it took us all slightly by surprise. It is definitely gratifying.

farseanean in Onstage_1 asks: Hi. This is so great to get to talk to you. I'm a big fan for a long time. You must receive a lot of scripts for movies to consider. How do you choose which movie you want to do next? What kinds of movies/characters are you looking for in future roles?

Elijah_Wood_Live says: It's always difficult to choose scripts. I'm pretty picky and opinionated when it comes to movies because there is a lack of really good scripts that come along often. They only came along once in a while. For me, I just want to grow as an actor, just things that are different than I've done in the past. Maybe older, darker roles.

Star7707 in Onstage_1 asks: What was is like working with people like Sean and Orlando, especially Orlando? Was he really as crazy as he appeared to be in the extra footage? Was YM the first time you were on the cover of a magazine?

Elijah_Wood_Live says: (laughs!!) Orlando is crazy! He's probably one of the most impulsive/energetic person I now, he can't sit still for a finite period of time. He was constantly trying to talk us into buying bikes, go bungee jumping, (laughs). He is really funny, the ideas just kept flowing. He's always fun to be out with because you never know where you'll end up. It's like a spinning top, you pull the string and off he goes! (laughs)

Elijah_Wood_Live says: It wasn't the first cover, I can't remember my first cover, but that wasn't my first cover. Insidently I shared that cover with Orlando. They did two covers and Orlando did the other one.

Elanor-Marina in Onstage_1 asks: Are you Elijah Wood? The one and only?

Elijah_Wood_Live says: I guess. I am me, and I don't know anyone else that is me, so I guess in that sense I'm the one and only, but not in any kind of egotistical way.

Melyndie in Onstage_1 asks: The Lord of the Rings story often contains a sense of hopelesness, especially for your character. Did filming the movies ever contain this feeling for you since you had to "get into" your character?

Elijah_Wood_Live says: No, it actually wasn't. Even though we were there for so long and involved with the characters, we were able to still turn it off at the end of the day. We could leave the set and focus on something else. Not only to leave our character, but leave work.

Elijah_Wood_Live says: We would go to work, go home, sleep a little, and dream about work, then wake up and go back to work, so it was important to be able to leave for a bit. I've always been able to leave my character, which is good because if Frodo stayed with me it could have been dark there.

DishDiva says: I heard the weather in New Zealand was a challenge.

Elijah_Wood_Live says: It was very cold.

Elijah_Wood_Live says: But it's part of the journey and I wouldn't have it any other way.

coldbloodkittie in Onstage_1 asks: hi Elijah I heard that YOu and the other nine members of the "fellowship" got tattoes of the elven nine where did you get yours?

Elijah_Wood_Live says: I got mine on my hip. Lower hip.

AlmightyPlum in Onstage_1 asks: Most of us have heard that you loved to play loud music at the early hours of the morning... But I'm just wondering what type of music it is that you're into?

Elijah_Wood_Live says: I love music and I'm incredibly passionate about it. It's difficult to answer because I love so much about music, it's so wide spread it's hard to answer. In terms to what I'm listening to now, Spoon, The Kinks, Roots, Coldplay, White Stripes, The Hives, Led Zeppelin, so it's all over the place. I'm kind of insane when it comes to music, a little obsessed.

Elijah_Wood_Live says: I get to host about an hour of music videos tomorrow on MTV. I get to choose the videos, I'm very lucky.

DishDiva says: Do you know any of the videos that you will play?

Elijah_Wood_Live says: Yeah, I will be playing Smashing Pumpkins, "Only You" by Portoisehead, Queens of the Stone Age.

?agel in Onstage_1 asks: Who do you think would win in a fight, a Dark Orc or a Stick wielding goblin?

Elijah_Wood_Live says: I'd say probably an Orc actually. Although goblins tend to be with bow and arrows, so maybe goblin.

Elijah_Wood_Live says: Goblins are a little bit more flexable.

DishDiva says: I hear you love films. Do you have any favorite movies?

Elijah_Wood_Live says: I have LOTS of favorite movies. I don't have one favorite, "Delicatessan," "Harvey," "Night of the Hunter," "The Graduate."

wannabeMegWhite in Onstage_1 asks: What makes you feel self-confident when you're at a set, what makes you feel that you're doing the right thing?

Elijah_Wood_Live says: I don't always feel confident. In the early days of filming you are getting your feet on the ground and trying out your character. I think in those early days it's good to have the confirmation from the director helps, and after that knowing you are doing what you want for you and for the director, the comfort level increases, and you can concentrate on the rest of the movie. Also getting to know everyone you are working with and developing a camaraderie, then I feel most comfortable on the set with them.

Elijah_Wood_Live says: We're all working for the same goal. I love that process.

CeleM in Onstage_1 asks: What kind of cultural differences are there between you and your British costars?

Elijah_Wood_Live says: That's a good question. The music, television, movies, those are all kinds of differences that they knew things I didn't know because I wasn't exposed to the same television or music. There were plenty of recommendations from the actors on the movie for music and movies. There's a massive pop culture in England, I was aware of it because I've spent time there, but I really integrated myself into that perspective when I got there. A beer and a pub become very important especially with friends.

SleeplessMarea in Onstage_1 asks: This is for my daughter: What is your favorite line from Fellowship? (We already know Billy's!)

Elijah_Wood_Live says: One of my favorite lines is when Galadriel says, "Even the smallest person can have an effect on the rest of the world." Which is what she says to Frodo when he's alone and feels the burdon of wearing the ring. You have within you the ability to have an effect on the world around you.

sgchik in Onstage_1 asks: You said you were into film editing, how about one day directing?

Elijah_Wood_Live says: I would absolutely love to do that. I'm just scratching the surface of film editing. I feel so lucky to have been working as long as I have, it's like being in film school for 12 years. I love all the departments that pour out their heart to create a collective effort. To be part of "Lord of the Ring" and see the process, it's fascinating, I would love to be a part of the process from a different perspective.

UtilityPorpoise in Onstage_1 asks: I've heard there will be five months of reshoots or pick-ups next year for ROTK. What all will that entail?

Elijah_Wood_Live says: There will be pick ups next year. I don't know how long it will take or entail. I don't think they know yet, it will be determined the first few months of next year when they look at the rough edit of the film and what they think they can improve on what we've already done. They are talking about us returning in June, and we'll know then what we have to shoot. I'm looking forward to go back.

SwedishSuzy2 in Onstage_1 asks: We're all excited to meet you.Is there a person YOU would love to have a chat with?

Elijah_Wood_Live says: There are so many people I'd love to chat with. Tom York from Radiohead because I find him fascinating and incredibly talented. I always think of people in music because I gravitate to music and musical artists. Prince would be interesting, I'm rediculously curious what his perspective is. Also directors like Lars Von Trier, Spike Jonez, there's tons of people.

DishDiva says: Have you met Steven Spielberg?

Elijah_Wood_Live says: Yes, have you heard of his Shoah Foundation? He’s got a foundation that educates people on the holocaust, there are about 80 survivors and what they experienced. I had the honor to do some narration and they did interviews with older people who were children at the time and their perspective.

IndieDontCare in Onstage_1 asks: I just got turned down for the part of Lady Macbeth in the school play. How do you you react if you dont get a part that you really wanted?

Elijah_Wood_Live says: First off, I'm really sorry you got turned down, that's aweful. I think if you're looking forward to a role and it doesn't work out, it can be disappointing at the moment but I think what's meant to be will be. I look back on movies I couldn't be a part of that I really wanted to do, it left me open to do something else that I really enjoyed doing. It can be disappointing, but there's always something else, hopefully.

Elijah_Wood_Live says: It can be. I don't know. I feel like if I'm not cast in something and they don't want me to be a part of it, then that's ok. They want someone else, and they'll do good. I wanted to be a part of "Rushmore" and I'm glad now that I wasn't in it because Jason was awesome.

Màrr¡_Xmৠin Onstage_1 asks: Hi Elijah, did you read "The Lord of the Rings" Trilogy when you were younger? And if so, what were your emotions when you found out you had a role in the film?

DishDiva says: gigaladriel in MSN_AoVivo1 asks: Did you already know the J.R.R.TOLKIEN books before the invitation for the movie?

Elijah_Wood_Live says: Yes, I read "The Hobbit" but not "Lord of the Rings" until I got there. The excitement of getting the role was pure and I didn't need the emotional connection with the book to have the profound connection I had. I wanted to work with Peter Jackson, I also really wanted to play Frodo, and to go to New Zealand.

DishDiva says: RogerRoque in MSN_AoVivo1 asks: In which ways do you resemble Frodo?

Elijah_Wood_Live says: That's a difficult question, eqating qualities or yourself and character. I relate to him because he has a worldliness coming from stories from Bilbo. So I related to that being able to travel around and learn from people. Also what makes him a hobbit, love of food, land, and I apply that to my life as well.

DishDiva says: For all you girls out there. . .

Crazy_Sexy_Cool88 in Onstage_1 asks: We hear that you're a real romantic, what sort of thing do you do to make a girl feel loved?

Elijah_Wood_Live says: I don't know. I am a real romantic, not in the classical, or cliche like flowers all the time, but I think I'm romantic in the sense I believe in passion and the moment, and words that mean something in a special way. I guess I'm really tactile and I love the sense of touch from someone you care about. And expressing one's emotion in an honest way and that can be romantic. I think one of the most romantic things is waking up to someone in the morning, I find that beautiful.

Elijah_Wood_Live says: waking up next to someone in the morning.

DishDiva says: Wow. OK!

Mariand6 in Onstage_1 asks: what gift would you like to have?

Elijah_Wood_Live says: It's funny, this year has been difficult to think of one thing I want. I enjoy DVDs and books. This year I want a Palm Pilot, I'm a bit of a pack rat and lose things easily so to have something to organize my life would be beneficial. Or a new video camera, mines a bit out of date.

DishDiva says: Elijah, thank you for joining us tonight on MSN Live!

DishDiva says: From all of your fans from around the world best of luck with "Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers."

Elijah_Wood_Live says: Good night, good morning, good afternoon, thank you so much for waiting so long to chat with me. It's been so much fun for me and brilliant and a nice respite from the normal junket questions. I appreciate your love and support.

DishDiva says: Thank you to Elijah Wood for joining us tonight on MSN Live!

DishDiva says: Thanks also to the many fans who joined us. For those of you who are joining us in the middle of the night, you can now go to sleep.

DishDiva says: That was fun! Never knew Elijah was so romantic, did you?

DishDiva says: Would you like to get a comment onstage for Elijah?

DishDiva says: Click the submit question button and enter your comment now.

End.