25 Years After the Ring Was Destroyed: How 'The Lord of the Rings' Cast Has Changed

Packed with unforgettable performances and visual grandeur, the hit franchise introduced audiences to a cast of rising stars and seasoned icons — all of whom are featured in a striking series of then and now images at the end of this article.

It has been a quarter of a century since Frodo Baggins first set out from the Shire, tasked with one of the most perilous journeys in cinematic history.

What began with a whisper of danger in the tranquil fields of Hobbiton grew into an epic trilogy that would change the landscape of fantasy filmmaking forever.

Directed by Peter Jackson and based on the beloved novels by J. R. R. Tolkien, "The Fellowship of the Ring" premiered in 2001 and brought Middle-earth to life with stunning scope and emotional depth.

Its tale of courage, loyalty, and sacrifice launched the careers of Elijah Wood and Viggo Mortensen, among others. It was also brought to life by a cast that included Ian McKellen, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, Orlando Bloom, Liv Tyler, Hugo Weaving, Cate Blanchett, and more.

The trilogy – "The Fellowship of the Ring," "The Two Towers," and "The Return of the King" – captured the imaginations of millions and earned its place as one of cinema's most celebrated franchises.

Yet its legacy was not only defined by awards and box office success but by the friendships forged behind the scenes.

Speaking recently to Empire magazine, five of the trilogy's most iconic actors – Wood, Astin, Monaghan, Boyd, and McKellen – reunited to mark the 25th anniversary of the franchise and reflect on the bond that has endured long after the final credits rolled.

"When we finished doing 'The Lord of the Rings,' everyone was so friendly and bonded together that we agreed that wherever we happened to be in the world, we would all congregate in the same place just to renew our friendship and our fellowship and our fraternity," McKellen shared.

"And I haven't been to a single one of these reunions in 25 years! Whether they've been taking place without my knowing, well, you'll have to ask them," he added.

Monaghan was quick to set the record straight, stating, "Never, Ian. Never! The four Hobbits are very lucky because we all go to conventions together, so I think we see each other at least eight times a year. With Ian it's a little harder, but we do try our best."

Astin added, "I think it's that fact that all of us want to get together that keeps the spirit alive. It's not as though the Fellowship has utterly failed or dissolved in some way."

According to Monaghan, the cast's chemistry was instantaneous. "It was immediate, which was something that's never happened to me before or since," he said.

Wood described the production as a transformative experience, saying, "It was a really specific alchemy. It hadn't been experienced before in our lives [...] to live away from home and go on this adventure that was not unlike the adventures our characters would go on."

With such enduring camaraderie, it's no surprise that the cast sparks a wave of nostalgia online to this day, as well as a lively debate about how time has treated them.

"Galadriel and Frodo share The One Ring for they didn't age at all .Aragorn i suspicious as well😮 [sic]," one person commented, comparing the cast's seemingly ageless appearances.

Another remarked, "Elijah still legit looks 21," while someone else typed, "Does Elijah still have the ring? He hasn't aged a day…" Some went even further in their praise, as one netizen shared, "Elijah is ageing like a fine wine."

But not all responses were glowing, as one comment struck a more critical note. "Time has not been good to these icons," they added.

While the remark stood in contrast to the overwhelming admiration seen elsewhere, it reflected the reality that the passage of time spares no one — not even legends of Middle-earth.

And yet, as the cast's reunion and fan responses show, the spirit of the Fellowship remains undiminished. Whether immortalised on screen or seen through the lens of passing years, 25 years on, their bond — much like the tale they told — is still the stuff of legend.

Then

Now