Elijah Wood surprised a couple on their wedding day after unexpectedly appearing at their Lord of the Rings-themed ceremony in New Zealand. The 44-year-old actor, best known for playing Frodo Baggins, arrived on the Hobbiton set in Matamata with a camera crew in tow, leaving the bride and groom visibly shocked as he walked to the altar to greet them. Dressed casually in jeans, a jacket and trainers, Wood joked about the theme, noting how impressed he was that the guests were dressed as hobbits.
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The actor posed for photographs with the couple before quietly departing, creating a moment that quickly spread online after Hobbiton shared footage of his surprise appearance. The iconic film set, originally constructed for the Lord of the Rings trilogy, was mostly dismantled after filming finished in 2000, but overwhelming tourist interest led to it becoming a permanent attraction and tours began in 2002.
Wood, who has spoken fondly of his time working on the films, has previously explained that cast salaries were lower than many assume due to the trilogy being filmed back-to-back under a single contract. Speaking at the 2025 Texas Film Awards, he noted it was not the sort of deal that guaranteed financial security, echoing comments from co-stars including Cate Blanchett, who joked she was “paid in sandwiches” and kept her elf ears as a souvenir.
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Despite speculation around cast earnings, Wood has maintained that the experience was invaluable, calling the films some of the best moments of his life. While Orlando Bloom and Sean Astin have previously shared estimates of their pay, Wood declined to confirm his own, emphasising instead the long-lasting impact the films have had on his career and personal journey.
