Dominic Monaghan recently gave fans a glimpse into the group chats he shares with his fellow Hobbits from “The Lord of the Rings.” It’s hard to believe it’s been over 20 years since they banded together to save Middle-earth.
Monaghan, recognized for his role as Merry Brandybuck, shared that the four actors still have ongoing discussions, including one focused on the finest talents from the Shire.
Alongside Monaghan, the close-knit crew includes Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, and Billy Boyd. The camaraderie they’ve built during filming, which wrapped in the early 2000s, remains strong.
“We have different text threads. One is called Shirefolk, packed with hobbits,” Monaghan explained. “Who’s the most talkative? Well, that depends on the topic.”
According to him, Sean Astin leads when it comes to industry-related matters, while food, travel, and movies usually spark lively chats with him or Elijah. Billy, on the other hand, shines in discussions about dogs and funny dog pics.
Monaghan also highlighted how the conversation varies depending on who initiates it. He mentioned they often tackle the New York Times Mini Crossword and Wordle daily, though Sean sometimes struggles with crosswords. “But it’s usually Elijah and I who complete them quickly,” he noted.
Frequent travel to fan conventions, as the trilogy cements its legacy as a beloved franchise, is also a regular part of Monaghan’s life, which keeps him grounded.
“Elijah and I joked about how everything can get a little blurry during these trips. You might forget what city you’re in while doing all the signings,” he said. “We’ve managed to set up dinner dates whenever possible just to keep the competition alive and perhaps savor some good food together.”
They even have a specialized channel just for food discussions. Monaghan revealed that both he and Elijah are quite passionate about researching good restaurants whenever they find themselves in a new city. They exchange reviews and recommendations to decide where to eat.
When it comes to conversations involving Sean and Billy, they typically share updates about restaurants, kids, pets, and even movies they’ve seen recently, like a new film by Paul Thomas Anderson.
As for the possibility of making an appearance in the next “Lord of the Rings” movie, Monaghan expressed that he has a good relationship with Peter Jackson and his team. He’s likely to be in New Zealand when they film “The Hunt for Gollum,” in which his friend Andy Serkis will star.
However, Monaghan is realistic about his role, believing that Merry isn’t involved in important events of that storyline. “He’s probably just a young lad in the Shire, enjoying a pint at the pub,” he mused. But that doesn’t rule out a potential cameo if Serkis gives the nod, even if it means just being a background figure.
For now, though, he’s looking forward to visiting friends rather than being on screen.
On another note, Monaghan is quite excited about his latest project, “The Long Shadows,” marking his first experience in a Western.
Set in the waning days of the Wild West, the film follows a drifter named Marcus Dollar as he seeks revenge for his parents’ murder. Monaghan plays Ned Duxbury, alongside Dermot Mulroney.
He mentioned that this role felt like a tribute to his father, and he found the character quite compelling. “He’s grappling with some demons, which makes him unpredictable,” Monaghan elaborated, describing Duxbury as a character often walking the line between confidence and deception.
Ultimately, he emphasized his excitement for exploring new characters. “That’s why I’m always on the lookout for unique roles, and Duxbury certainly felt original to me,” he concluded.
“The Long Shadows” is currently in theaters.
