Can you believe it’s been ages since we were all glued to our screens watching the OG squad—Frodo, Gandalf, and the rest of the gang—trotting around Middle-earth like they owned the place? The Lord of the Rings turned us all into fantasy geeks, debating over who deserved the title of “My Precious” and, admit it, crushing hard on Legolas (those elf eyes, right?).

Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins

Okay, let’s take it way back to 2001 when Elijah Wood had us all wishing we had a friend as loyal as Frodo Baggins. With those huge blue eyes and the weight of Middle Earth on his shoulders, he journeyed from the Shire to Mount Doom, and honestly, straight into our hearts. Before he bagged the gig as the ring-loving hobbit, Elijah was no stranger to the screen. Movies like “Flipper” and “Avalon” were already in his back pocket. Yet, it was Frodo who made us all go, “Oh, so that’s Elijah Wood.”

Elijah Wood Now

Let’s not forget his leap into the indie scene. Elijah’s not just about being in front of the camera; he co-founded SpectreVision, dipping his toes into producing some gems like “Mandy” – yes, the one with that wild Nicolas Cage performance. On the music front, our man crush Monday isn’t just playing Frodo’s greatest hits; he’s also spinning records as a DJ. Multitalented much? And let’s be real, we’re here for every unpredictable turn of his career. Keep surprising us, Elijah, we’re watching and cheering, popcorn in hand!

Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn

Remember when Viggo Mortensen stole our hearts as Aragorn, the fearless ranger-turned-king in “The Lord of the Rings”? Before he was our rugged, elf-friend-zone-surviving hero, Viggo was rocking it in the acting world. Yeah, he was turning heads in “Young Guns II,” making waves in “Crimson Tide,” and showing off his chops in “G.I. Jane.” Viggo was the guy even before he knew how to speak Elvish.

Viggo Mortensen Now

Who would’ve thought? Aragorn goes indie! Viggo decided acting wasn’t enough of a thrill. So, he jumped behind the camera for “Falling” in 2020, a drama he wrote, produced, and starred in. Talk about wearing many hats! Maybe he got the idea from wearing all those different crowns and helmets? Most recently, Viggo’s been hanging out in the jungles of “Thirteen Lives” (2022). Yes, still catching our eye and proving he’s got more comeback tours than the Rolling Stones.

Sean Bean as Boromir

Alright, let’s chat about our boy Sean Bean, a.k.a. Boromir from “The Lord of the Rings.” You remember him—the one who fought off a horde of orcs like a boss but still had that oh-so-dramatic, slow-mo death scene? Yeah, that’s the one. Bean nailed it as the noble yet seriously conflicted Boromir, giving us all the feels as he tried to nab the One Ring but ended up playing the hero in the end. Talk about a redemption arc!

Sean Bean Now

While many remember him as the tormented and noble Boromir, Sean Bean’s career trajectory since “The Lord of the Rings” speaks volumes about his range as an actor. H e went on to rule over Westeros as Ned Stark in “Game of Thrones” and even hopped on the post-apocalyptic train as Mr. Wilford in “Snowpiercer” on TNT. Plus, he gave us some serious relationship drama in BBC’s “Marriage.” He’s been busy! His roles have expanded, playing characters as diverse as Mr. Wilford and John Parse, and he has continued to engage audiences with his intense and compelling performances across various genres and media.

Dominic Monaghan as Meriadoc ‘Merry’ Brandybuck

Dominic Monaghan took on the role of the mischievous and lovable hobbit, Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck, in the epic “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. A native from Frodo’s own Shire, Merry embarks on a daring journey alongside Frodo, proving to be a valiant and resourceful member of the fellowship. Before stepping into Middle-earth, Monaghan had acted in several TV movies, making “The Fellowship of the Ring” his major big-screen debut.

Dominic Monaghan Now

Not one to sit still, Dom turned Indiana Jones, hosting “Wild Things With Dominic Monaghan”. Picture him wrestling giant frogs and chasing after snakes – legit wild, right? And because staying in one’s lane is clearly overrated, he popped up in Eminem and Rihanna’s epic “Love the Way You Lie” video, duked it out in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” (2009), and even nabbed a cozy spot in “Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker” (2019). Yeah, hobbits in space – who would’ve thunk? Dom’s leap from the Shire lad to the “I’m-everywhere-you-wanna-be” kinda guy is nothing short of fab. His ventures post-“LOTR” prove that there’s life after Middle-earth – and it’s wildly entertaining. Yep, Dominic Monaghan keeps flying higher than an eagle (or should we say, a Great Eagle?).

Sean Astin as Samwise Gamgee

Okay, let’s throw it back to when Sean Astin was Samwise Gamgee, aka the ultimate BFF you’d want in every tough situation. Remember him in “Lord of the Rings”? That guy who literally carried Frodo up a freaking volcano? Yeah, Astin nailed it as the hobbit who gave us all a lesson in friendship goals. It was like watching your bestie become the hero you always knew they were, hobbit feet and all.

Sean Astin Now

Post-Mordor life has been pretty busy for Sean. He’s been dipping his toes in animation, voice-overs for video games, and even made a splash in “Stranger Things.” Yup, he went from the Shire to Hawkins, Indiana, as the lovable Bob Newby, superhero to many and once again, proving he’s the sidekick we all need. Avoiding Demogorgons instead of orcs, but still, the guy’s got range. Astin’s not slowing down. With projects lined up, we’re about to see more of him. He’s joining the second season of HBO’s “Perry Mason.” From hobbit to heroic lawyer’s sidekick, Sean’s proving he can do it all, and we’re here for the journey.

Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf

Before captivating audiences worldwide as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Sir Ian McKellen had already established himself as a formidable actor predominantly on the stage and in various film roles. A rich career in the performing arts set the stage for what would become one of his most iconic roles. McKellen’s journey into Middle Earth began in the early 2000s, making him an unforgettable part of cinematic history.

Sir Ian McKellen Now

Away from Middle Earth, McKellen’s career post-Lord of the Rings saw him embrace a variety of projects. He continued playing Magneto in the X-Men franchise, including the 2014 installment X-Men: Days of Future Past, ensuring his status as a mainstay in blockbuster fantasy and superhero films. From his role as Cogsworth in the live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast (2017) to his performance in Cats (2019), McKellen continued to show his adaptability and willingness to explore diverse roles. His slated appearance in the modern-day adaptation “Hamlet Within” promises to add another compelling chapter to his already distinguished career.

John Rhys-Davies as Gimli

Remember Gimli? The only dwarf in the Fellowship with enough sass and axes to make even the grumpiest orc think twice? That was all thanks to John Rhys-Davies, who totally brought the house down with his epic portrayal. Back in the LOTR days, Rhys-Davies was pretty much dwarfed (pun absolutely intended) under heaps of hair and prosthetics.

John Rhys-Davies Now

Living as Gimli must’ve been no joke. Imagine getting up at the crack of dawn for hours of makeup, only to spend your day running around in heavy armor. Talk about dedication! As of today, Rhys-Davies’ work continues to inspire new generations of actors and filmmakers. His transformation from the rugged terrains of Middle-Earth to the diverse landscapes of his subsequent projects serves as a testament to his enduring appeal and talent. From voice acting in animation to popping up in all sorts of films, the guy’s range is more impressive than Legolas’s arrow shots. He’s also a total class act off-screen, always ready with a witty quip or to champion a cause close to his heart.

Orlando Bloom as Legolas

So, let’s talk Orlando Bloom, or as we warmly know him, Legolas, with his fancy bow skills and that hair! Seriously, who knew elves could give us such hair envy, right? When Orlando Bloom was cast as the master archer and wood elf, Legolas, in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy, he was relatively unknown. His portrayal of the sharp-eyed, agile fighter quickly turned him into a fan favorite, showcasing his talent in a role that called for both physical prowess and a certain ethereal charm unique to the elves of Middle-earth.

Orlando Bloom Now

Orlando Bloom has stayed busy since playing Legolas. He starred in four Pirates of the Caribbean films. Bloom returned to Middle-earth for two Hobbit movies. Recently, he led the fantasy series Carnival Row on Prime Video. In 2023, he appeared in the racing film Gran Turismo. Bloom’s looks have matured, but he still maintains his elvish charm. He’s traded long blonde locks for shorter, darker hair.

Billy Boyd as Peregrin ‘Pippin’ Took

Remember Billy Boyd, our adorable Pippin from Lord of the Rings? Yeah, the one who could charm a tree into walking and talking. Boyd totally stole our hearts as the cheeky hobbit who was just as likely to start a party as he was to stumble into an epic battle. Before Boyd was chilling with Gandalf and dodging orcs, he was snagging parts on TV. But let’s be real—playing Pippin turned his career up to eleven. Who could forget those big hobbit eyes welling up with innocence and mischief?

Billy Boyd Now

Post-LOTR, Boyd didn’t just vanish into the West with Frodo. Nope, he hit the ground running with movies like Master and Commander (you know, the one with Russell Crowe battling the high seas and his own temper). And because he’s not a one-trick pony, Boyd also rocked out, penning a tune for The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. Yup, he moves seamlessly from swords to chords! Lately, Boyd’s been popping up all over our TV screens. From a stint on Grey’s Anatomy (because who hasn’t been on that show?) to voicing a character in The Legend of Vox Machina. Most recently, he’s been in An Intrusion—and yup, still keeping it thrilling!

Cate Blanchett as Galadriel

Oh boy, let me tell you about Cate Blanchett! Back in 2001, she was this ethereal beauty as Galadriel. Her long, flowing blonde hair and those piercing blue eyes? Totally mesmerizing! She looked like a real-life elf queen, no joke. I remember thinking, “Wow, how can someone be this perfect?”

You won’t believe what Cate Blanchett’s up to in 2024! First off, she was in this wild sci-fi movie called “Borderlands.” Can you imagine our elf queen as a bounty hunter? It hit the theaters last August. And get this – she’s teaming up with the genius behind “Gravity” for a new thriller series called Disclaimer. It’s for Apple TV+, and it’s gonna be epic. I don’t know about you, but I’m gonna be glued to my screen when it comes out.

Sir Ian Holm as Bilbo Baggins

Sir Ian Holm brought Bilbo Baggins to life in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. As the elderly hobbit, Holm portrayed Bilbo’s conflicted nature perfectly. His performance captured Bilbo’s love for adventure and his addiction to the One Ring. Holm’s expressive face and nuanced acting made Bilbo a memorable character. His scenes with Frodo showed both warmth and inner turmoil. Holm’s Bilbo set the stage for the epic journey to come, leaving a lasting impression on audiences.

Sir Ian Holm Now

After his Middle-earth escapades, Sir Ian kept us entertained and somewhat in awe of his never-ending talent. He was that actor who could do it all, from playing historical figures to voicing animated characters, showing us that there truly was life beyond the Shire. In 2020, we had to say goodbye to Sir Ian Holm. It was a heartbreaker for movie buffs and LOTR fans alike. He was 88, but let’s be honest, legends like him never truly leave us. They just go on an eternal elf boat to the undying lands, right?

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Fans

And there you have it, folks – a magical, nostalgic rollercoaster ride through the Shires and beyond with our beloved “Lord of the Rings” cast. It’s been quite the journey from those epic Middle-earth battles to seeing what our favorite hobbits, elves, and wizards are up to these days. Can you believe how much has changed? And yet, it feels like just yesterday we were all trying to figure out if we had what it takes to simply walk into Mordor.