Hugo Weaving has had the distinct honor of appearing in many iconic films such as THE MATRIX, V FOR VENDETTA, and THE LORD OF THE RINGS. With THE MATRIX 4 on the way and Amazon moving forward with a Lord of the Rings TV show, Weaving has been asked if he considered returning to any of these popular franchises. While THE MATRIX 4 was a possibility, Weaving is saying that a return to THE LORD OF THE RINGS is definitely not in the cards.
Weaving did an interview with "Variety" and Weaving made it clear that he has no interest in reprising his role as Elrond in the upcoming series:
"No way. Absolutely no. Matrix might have happened. But Lord of the Rings no, I would never – I'm not interested in that at all. Look, I loved being in New Zealand with all those great people, and it was like going back to a family but actually, to be honest, I think everyone had more than enough of it."
I was a bit surprised that Weaving was so adamant about not returning and that he seemed to be over by the time he wrapped up the film series, It seems like he appreciated the experience but perhaps it was pretty taxing working on a series of films that were such a large scope. That being said, Weaving said he's not completely against working on franchises and tentpole films again:
"They have to be something really interesting, with a different twist to make me really keen to do it. I'm not saying 'no' [to franchise films] because I'm sort of open to anything, But I suppose my interests have always lay with [Australia] and trying to find really interesting projects out here. That's my primary focus."
Weaving recently spoke about THE MATRIX 4 and why he couldn't return to that franchise to reprise his role as Agent Smith. The actor admitted to being in active talks to return but soon scheduling conflicts got in the way and Weaving couldn't return for the fourth installment. Clearly he's open to stepping back into some of these franchises but THE LORD OF THE RINGS just isn't one of them.
The upcoming Lord of the Rings Amazon series takes place much before the events of Peter Jackson's movies. The series will recount the events that led to Sauron's first rise to power, and his subsequent vanquishing at the hands of Isildur. Interestingly enough, Weavings Elrond could've been one of the few characters from THE LORD OF THE RINGS who could have easily fit into the Amazon series because of when it takes place.
Would YOU have liked to see Hugo Weaving return to THE LORD OF THE RINGS franchise?