AceShowbiz - The highly anticipated sequel Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, arriving March 20, expands the thrilling horror-comedy universe of the original film. This time, Elijah Wood joins the cast as the enigmatic Lawyer, who presides over a brutal game played by some of the world’s most influential families. Speaking at the Rolling Stone Studio live at SXSW, Wood shared insights on the new film, his diverse acting career, and offered his most detailed remarks yet on a possible return as Frodo in Andy Serkis’s upcoming Lord of the Rings prequel, The Hunt for Gollum.

Wood emphasized that if Frodo does appear, it would be a brief role and touched on the idea of using CGI to recreate his youthful character. Importantly, he stated that as long as he is able, he would prefer to be the only actor portraying Frodo, underscoring his personal connection to the iconic role.

Known for taking on roles vastly different from his portrayal of Frodo, Wood has played a serial killer in Sin City and a conspiracy theorist in Yellowjackets. “As an actor, you’re always looking to move on from the last thing you did,” he said. “To continue to explore and find new colors and new creative outputs.”

When asked if he was familiar with the original Ready or Not film, Wood replied enthusiastically, “Very much, yeah. I saw it in the cinema and loved it. I was very surprised by it.” He praised the film’s unique blend of horror, action, and humor, describing it as “a real kind of game that you’re engaged in watching” and called Samara Weaving “a total revelation” for her incredible performance.

The question many fans had about the sequel was how the filmmakers could possibly continue the story. Wood explained that after getting to know directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, he was confident in their vision. They sent him the script with a note that set expectations for his character, the Lawyer, and he was immediately interested. “I didn’t have any skepticism. I was just instantly really excited,” he said.

Wood praised the directors’ integrity, saying they create films because they believe in the material, not to cash in. Noting the six-year gap since the original, he added, “This was never going to be a cash-in sort of thing.” The script, he noted, expands the narrative and deepens the world introduced in the first film, while maintaining the enjoyment of the original’s deadly game with new characters and fresh context.

What sets this sequel apart is how it picks up directly where the first film left off. “The opening footage is a blend of the first movie,” Wood said. “There’s a seamless transition on camera where there’s no cuts into new footage, which is so awesome. So it literally starts with footage from the first movie.”

He drew a parallel to Back to the Future Part II, which also begins with a direct continuation. Interestingly, Wood mentioned showing the film to his six-year-old son, who had never seen any of the Back to the Future movies before. Although his son knew Wood was in it, he didn’t immediately recognize him, being absorbed in the story instead.

Reflecting on his memory of the film, Wood admitted it was “spotty” but vivid in parts. He recalled the production design, especially the future-set Hill Valley with its iconic clock tower, which left a strong impression on him as a child. “I have quite vivid memories, actually, of working on it,” he said.

Discussing his role as the Lawyer, Wood described the character as mysterious and somewhat supernatural. The Lawyer’s client is essentially Satan, and his presence commands a chilling yet intriguing authority. “Not much is known about who the Lawyer is and potentially how long he’s been around,” Wood explained. The film hints at possible immortality through a brief mention by David Cronenberg’s character, Chester Danforth, who says, “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you.”

On preparing for such an enigmatic role, Wood laughed, “There isn’t a whole lot of prep.” The character has no detailed backstory, so his performance relies heavily on interpreting the script and projecting the right tone. He described the Lawyer as a “relatively blank surface,” someone familiar to other characters but still mysterious. Balancing the gravity of the game’s stakes with the character’s enjoyment of the events was key in Wood’s approach.

Since much of the Lawyer’s role involves explaining the game’s rules, Wood acknowledged the challenge of keeping exposition engaging. “You do get moments where there’s a little glee behind his eyes,” he said. The stakes of the game don’t seem to impact the Lawyer the way they do the other characters, allowing for a subtle delight in the proceedings.

The film features extensive practical effects, including a staggering 325 gallons of real blood used on set. Wood noted that the blood was not computer-generated, which added to the visceral impact. “It’s fantastic,” he said, especially appreciating the device of bodies exploding, a hallmark of the first film.

When asked if the Lawyer was inspired by any particular Hollywood lawyer, Wood laughed and said no, indicating the character was wholly original.

Outside of Ready or Not 2, Wood recently appeared in I Love LA, playing a disturbing version of himself. “I don’t know if disturbing, but certainly absurd,” he joked, admitting his character is a bit of a germophobe who unintentionally sends the wrong signals to women. This role shows Wood’s willingness to embrace quirky and challenging parts.

Asked how he was approached to play himself in such a bizarre role, the conversation was left open-ended, but it highlights the actor’s diverse range and sense of humor about his own persona.

Overall, Elijah Wood’s involvement in Ready or Not 2: Here I Come marks an exciting expansion of the franchise’s mythology, blending horror, comedy, and suspense with his uniquely compelling performance. Coupled with his reflections on potentially reprising Frodo in The Hunt for Gollum, fans have plenty to look forward to from this versatile actor.