Exclusive: We talk Tolkien with Nicholas Hoult, Lily Collins and more!

J.R.R. Tolkien is an icon. And yes, I’m a fan. Whether it’s the brilliant stories and mythology he creates, or the Peter Jackson features films that he inspired, Tolkien’s work  has always been an important part of my own life – as well as many others. And now, filmmaker Dome Karukoski has given fans a poetic tribute to one of the most important artists of all time. The film stars Nicholas Hoult, Lily Collins, Colm Meaney,  Derek Jacobi, Patrick Gibson, Anthony Boyle and Tom Glynn-Carney. And frankly, while he doesn’t strike much of a resemblance to the real thing, Hoult truly captures Tolkien’s genius brilliantly. 

Recently, we had the immense pleasure of spending a long weekend in London to talk about the film with the cast a crew. It was a cloudy Sunday morning, yet one that brought a glimmer of sunlight to this beautiful city. Somehow, it felt like a perfect time to talk about the legendary writer and scholar. First up, we spoke with the incredibly talented Hoult who has had a pretty good past few years. He also happens to be one of the kindest and good hearted guys you could ever meet. Whether you are talking MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, or his recent turn in THE FAVOURITE, the actor continues to grow with some truly impressive work. With TOLKIEN, Hoult discussed the preparation to play such a legendary man. He also shared a lovely story about his very first introduction to the writer while on the set of ABOUT A BOY.

Next up, we spoke with the stunning Lily Collins. It’s been a long while since I last spoke to her, yet it was wonderful to chat about her work here. She discussed taking on the romantic lead opposite Hoult. It's almost hard to believe that they had never worked together before and had only known each other through friends and the like. Thankfully, the two share an undeniable chemistry together as Tolkien and Edith Bratt. The actress opened up about her own knowledge about the author, and how much of her own personality she shares with Ms. Bratt. As always, Lily was insightful, intelligent, and a joy to speak with.

Speaking of joy, the second I walked into the room to chat with Patrick Gibson, Anthony Boyle and Tom Glynn-Carney, I was laughing heartily at the excellent company I was in. The trio of actors portray childhood friends of Tolkien, and they added a ton of energy to the film. This translated heavily to the interview process, as the three were simply wonderful to sit down with. We talked about everything from discovering characters, having a shot of tequila (or whatever drink that we fancied) and even starting a band – our outfits were all coordinated. In fact, every single one of these talented folks helped make for a terrific experience.â?¨

And finally, while we didn’t chat with Dome Karukoski on camera, we did have a Tolkien fueled conversation. As well, we were given the opportunity to tour the magnificent beauty of Oxford, and visit some of the very places where J.R.R. Tolkien studied and discussed literature and who knows what else. You can check out the tour and interview with Dome Friday, right here at JoBlo.com. Huge thanks to Fox Searchlight, and the excellent cast for their time in London. And if you happen to be a fan of the great author and his inspiring stories, you’ll certainly want to catch TOLKIEN at a theatre near you.