Lord of the Rings Star Who Rejected The Hobbit Shares Conditions for Return

Studios are going all out to revive the magic of The Lord of the Rings, but some original stars aren’t so quick to return.

In a recent chat with Collider, John Rhys-Davies, known for his iconic portrayal of Gimli the Dwarf, revealed he’d consider stepping back into Middle-earth – but only if modern technology could ease the process.

“Well, I’m known to not want to put that prosthetic on again,” Rhys-Davies admitted, adding, “but out of deference to Andy [Serkis], whom I love and admire and again who has grown so much, if they invited me… Oh god, could I dare to put on that make-up again and lose my skin? Maybe with CGI.” The star’s reluctance is understandable; the grueling makeup sessions for Gimli in The Lord of the Rings trilogy are legendary. “Before when they asked me to do The Hobbit, for instance, I said no. No, not at all. Times have moved on and technology has moved on, if I don’t have to spend eight hours a day for three years of my life in a make-up chair, I might indeed do it,” he shared.

Rhys-Davies specifically touched on the upcoming live-action film The Hunt for Gollum, directed by none other than Andy Serkis himself, who famously brought Gollum to life. This project is set during the time gap in The Fellowship of the Ring and features major roles for Gandalf and Aragorn as they track Gollum during their quest for answers. Although many original cast members, including Elijah Wood and Orlando Bloom, have expressed interest in returning to their roles, Rhys-Davies remains cautious about the potential comeback.

“The other thing is physically I am no longer capable of putting eighty pounds of extra armor and stuff on and climbing up mountains,” he noted.

This push for CGI isn’t exactly new – The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies showcased dwarves created with digital effects, though not everyone was on board with the results. Whether Rhys-Davies’ request for CGI assistance would be embraced by the production team remains to be seen.

As of now, it seems Rhys-Davies hasn’t received an offer to join The Hunt for Gollum, and it’s uncertain if his conditions will be met. The upcoming movie is set to explore the period after Bilbo’s departure from the Shire, during which Gandalf starts piecing together the One Ring’s true nature and tasks Aragorn with finding Gollum. With its release date set for 2026, fans are eagerly awaiting more news.

In the meantime, Middle-earth enthusiasts can gear up for The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, an animated prequel landing in theaters on December 13th.

What do you think about John Rhys-Davies’ stance on returning as Gimli? Should studios lean more on CGI to bring beloved characters back, or is the magic of practical effects worth the struggle? Share your thoughts and join the conversation below!