Lord of the Ringsranks, without a doubt, among the most influential film series in the history of cinema. This trilogy was directed by Peter Jackson andbased on the novelsof the same name by J. R. R. Tolkien. The first film in the series,The Fellowship of the Ring, premiered in 2001, and in the following years,The Two TowersandThe Return of the Kingwere released as sequels. In these productions, the audience follows Frodo Baggins, ahobbit from Middle-Earthwho sets out on a quest alongside the Fellowship to destroythe One Ringand its creator, Sauron.
This trilogy featured ahuge ensemble cast, with actors such as Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Viggo Mortensen, and Sean Astin, among many others.Lord of the Ringsproved to be an absolute box-office success, and all three films were widely acclaimed by critics, earning 800 award nominations and winning over half of them. The trilogy ranks among the highest-grossing film series of all time, grossing a total of $2.991 billion worldwide. Naturally, such a large-scale production did nothing but boost everyone who was part of it. Therefore, following their roles in the trilogy, the cast members' careers kept on rising. Take a look at the actors' most prestigious projects followingLord of the Rings.
Elijah Wood
Elijah Woodstarred in theLord of the Ringstrilogy as Frodo Baggins, a role that made his career skyrocket. After the film series, he took part in a number of projects, such asEternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,Spy Kids 3D: Game Over,Sin CityandNo Man of God, in which he also served as a producer. In 2012, he reprised his best-known role in the filmThe Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.
Related:Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones Are More Similar Than You Think
Viggo Mortensen
After playing Aragorn in theLord of the Ringstrilogy,Viggo Mortensenwent on to star in three David Cronenberg films for which he won critical acclaim:A History of Violence,Eastern PromisesandA Dangerous Mind. In 2022, he starred in a fourth production by the same director,Crimes of the Future. Among his other major films in recent years wasGreen Book, a 2018 production based on a true story, featuring him alongside Mahershala Ali, for which he earned nominations at the Oscars and Golden Globe Awards, among many other ceremonies.
Boromir is one ofSean Bean’s most iconic characters, although the actor is also well-known for playing Ned Stark in the HBO seriesGame of Thrones. After starring in Peter Jackson’sLord of the Ringsfilm series, Bean went on to perform in the1974and1983films of theRed Ridingtrilogy. Among his most memorable credits in recent years are the filmsThe Martian,Dark RiverandWolfwalkers.
Sean Astin
InLord of the Rings,Sean Astinis Sam, Frodo’s faithful friend and sidekick. Since that role, the actor spent a few years working in TV series and lending his voice to different animated characters, but he never stopped starring in films. He collaborated with Adam Sandler in the comedies50 First Dates,ClickandThe Do-Over, and also starred in productions of other genres, such as the horror filmBorderlandand the dramasGloria BellandCharming the Hearts of Men.
Ian McKellen
Ever since he started his career back in 1961,Ian McKellenhas performed an impressive number of roles in many productions. However, two of his most memorable parts are without a doubt Gandalf inLord of the RingsandThe Hobbittrilogies and Magneto in theX-Menfilms. After appearing in Jackson’s trilogy, McKellen was featured in films such asThe Da Vinci Code,Mr. Holmes, where he played the famous detective Sherlock Holmes,The Good LiarandThe Dresser, a TV movie in which he starred alongside Anthony Hopkins.
Dominic Monaghan
Merry Brandybuck was the first film role inDominic Monaghan’s career, and one of his most famous roles to date, along with his part in the iconic TV showLost. After wrapping up theLord of the Ringstrilogy, the actor appeared in a variety of projects, including the filmsX-Men Origins: Wolverine,I Sell the DeadandStar Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Related:Lord of the Rings: 6 Stories That Should be Told Through Animation
John Rhys-Davies
Before playing dwarf warrior Gimli,John Rhys-Davieswas already well-known, among other things, for his role as Sallah in theIndiana Jonesfranchise, a role he will be reprising next year inIndiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny. After appearing inThe Return of the King, Rhys-Davies worked on film and TV projects and even lent his voice to several video game characters. Among his most popular films areThe Princess Diaries 2,Time Lapse,AquamanandBad Cupid.
Orlando Bloom
Legolas wasOrlando Bloom’s breakthrough role, which he would later reprise inThe Hobbittrilogy. However, a few years later, he became even more famous for starring alongside Johnny Depp and Keira Knightley in thePirates of the Caribbeanfilm series. After starring as Sindar Elf inLord of the Rings, Bloom went on to star in films such asElizabethtown,Troy,Kingdom of HeavenandThe Three Musketeers. In 2023, he is expected to appear in the sports filmGran Turismo, perIGN, inspired by the video game of the same name.
Andy Serkis
Andy Serkisis among the highest-grossing actors of all time, and has appeared in productions of all sorts throughout his career. He has even branched out into directing, helming the productionsMowgli: Legend of the JungleandVenom: Let There Be Carnage. In theLord of the Ringstrilogy, Serkis played Smeagol, better known as Gollum, one of his best-known performance capture roles. He has also appeared in films such as13 Going on 30, the reboot trilogy ofPlanet of the ApesandThe Prestige, among many others. As well, he has been part of both Marvel and DC superhero films: he starred as Ulysses Klaue inAvengers: Age of UltronandBlack Panther, and as Alfred Pennyworth in the 2022 filmThe Batman.
Billy Boyd
In theLord of the Ringstrilogy,Billy Boydplayed Pippin, Merry’s lifelong friend and cousin. Following this film series, the actor took part inMaster and Commander: The Far Side of the World, a production starring Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany. He also voiced Glen/Glenda in the filmSeed of Chuckyand several characters in the 2021 filmThe Loud House Movie. Boyd’s other popular films from recent years includeSpace Milkshake,On a Clear DayandTell It to the Bees.
Cate Blanchett
Wrapping up this list is renowned actressCate Blanchett, who played Galadriel inLord of the Rings. After appearing in Peter Jackson’s trilogy, she starred in both indie films and blockbusters with worldwide million-dollar earnings. Among her most popular productions areThe Aviator,Blue Jasmine,CarolandThe Curious Case of Benjamin Button. She has also appeared in films aimed at a younger audience, such as the live-actionCinderellaand the MCU filmThor: Ragnarok, where she played Hela, the Asgardian Goddess of Death. In 2022, she appeared in Guillermo del Toro’sPinocchioas Spazzatura the monkey and in Todd Field’sTÁR, the latter of which isgarnering Oscar buzzfor Blanchett’s performance.
