It’s like they say: opposites attract. And so, while ethereal Elf warrior Legolas and belligerent Dwarf heavy Gimli are decidedly contrasting members of the Fellowship in The Lord Of The Rings, they become something of a double-act across the trilogy – their bickering banter shifting towards genuine brotherhood through each film. It was just as much as a bonding experience for actors Orlando Bloom and John Rhys-Davies.
In Empire’s epic 25th anniversary reunion issue, we brought Bloom and Rhys-Davies back together for a brand new interview, looking back at how they were swept into Peter Jackson’s films, their fantasy weapons, and the bond they forged through it all. You can read the full interview in the magazine, on newsstands now – and here’s a sneak peek, in which they discuss their favourite moment between their characters, and the weapons they kept from set.
Do you have a favourite Gimli/Legolas moment?
John Rhys-Davies: There is that spectacular thing where Legolas is jumping, firing his arrows, dealing death and destruction, and finally lands on his feet again. And Gimli says, “That still only counts as one.” (Both laugh)
Orlando Bloom: When I grab you by the beard as well. It’s so joyous and fun.
Rhys-Davies: We were in greenscreen, weren’t we? And I jumped and swayed, and gloriously and instinctively Orlando grabbed his hand out to stabilise me. He grabs the beard, and I’m thinking, “Oh, God, you pull that off and we’re here for another four hours.” (Laughs) And I grabbed his hand and looked him firmly in the eyes and said, “Not the beard.”
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Bloom: Hilarious.
You were given your weapons at the wrap party. Have you still got them?
Bloom: Of course. My number-one bow, which I had used all the way through, broke on my last day of filming.
Rhys-Davies: Very significant.
Bloom: I teared up. And then at the end of the haka — the stunt [team] did this insane haka for me for my last day, and I was bawling like a baby — they gave me my second bow. I’ve got those.
Rhys-Davies: I’m not telling you where the axe is, or I’ll get visitors. Gimli’s original helmet has gone missing; I had to buy another one, to be able to put it on for the odd interview. I would like to get Wētā to make me a replica axe, because… you went and met Zelensky, didn’t you, in Ukraine?
Bloom: I did meet Zelensky, yeah.
Rhys-Davies: I would like to give him Gimli’s axe.
Bloom: He’s not allowed to accept that stuff, actually. I was gonna do something similar. It’s a political thing. But it’s a lovely thought. I mean, it’s an anti-war story, really.