LOTR Castmember Quotes

Dominic Monaghan (Merry)
Speaker
Topic
Quote
Dom Acting I've never brought a person onto a film who has not said 'God, this is so boring' or 'I can't believe it takes so long to do these things'. Obviously I'm used to the fact that in an average day, I might only do 5 minutes work. It's a difficult skill because as a breed of person, actors - and this is a generalisation - are highly energised, so you have to learn to conserve your energy on set.
With the emotional scenes, its important to detach yourself from the rest of the cast [of Monsignor Renard] when nothing's happening. I normally make sure I only have three or four hours sleep the night before so that I'm more emotionally unstable and wound-up. I often bring a few things along that upset me, like a letter my grandmother wrote. I have to really lose it in the final episode, so things like that can help.
Dom Anticipation Yes, it's my greatest opportunity to do something big so far. I'm contracted in New Zealand until December 2000 for three films which is a huge stretch for an actor. I'll be wearing a wig, I'll be shrunk to [3]' 6" and I have to learn how to ride a horse, so it's a real step into the unknown. I'm playing one of the bands of four hobbits. I don't know whether it's something to do with my personality, but I always seem to get cast as a cheeky characters, and 'Merry' is definitely the cockiest of the lot - the one most up for a ruck and a good adventure!
Dom Fame It used to want it more than anything when I started out, but the more I've worked, the less I want to be recognised. But I've always been a bit cocky and attention seeking, so deep down, I suppose I love the attention.
Dom
USA Today, 12/14/02		 Impersonations I did Pete Jackson, Orlando, Elijah, Viggo, Billy, Ian McKellen. But the best one I did is Karin Shah, Elijah's size double. I impersonated his voice and called the producers pretending to be him, and Pete loved it.
Dom Diary I kept a diary and there are so many moments. I remember one day when I was in the hotel and I got a call saying, 'Mr Monaghan, your helicopter is here to pick you up.' That was quite nice. We tried to get in a helicopter to fly to another set, but it was so windy that the pilot had to meet us at the bottom of the hill. Got back, did block-through for a scene, but the weather closed in and we wrapped for the day. Went home and tried to make a cake, but the oven broke so I ate raw cake mix, watched TV, felt sick and went to Billy's. Victoria Sullivan from production came round. We drank wine and laughed at my cake-making skills.
Dom
USA Today, 12/14/02		 Gollum I love Merry, and I'll possess him for the rest of my life. But Gollum is so fascinating. You never know what he's doing next. He desires the ring and will do anything to get it back.
Dom Hobbits It was crucial for the audience to see that there was this complete and utter devotion from the three Hobbits toward Frodo--that we would protect Frodo with our lives. Merry and Pippin have a friendship which borders on mental telepathy. In the same way, Billy and I understood how each other thinks.
Dom Merry I imagine that all the hobbit mothers pretend to be annoyed by him, but really like him!
Dom
USA Today, 12/14/02		 Merry He's the sharpest thinker of the hobbits, he reads situations very well and is quite intuitive. He is destined for good things.
Dom Merry Like most hobbits, Merry always looks on the bright side of life, but I don't think even he realizes at first how brave he can actually be. As situations arise at the beginning of their journey, he starts to become pretty important...Merry is just this very sharp, sarcastic and funny boy who hasn't grown up yet. But he's about to go through incredible experiences and adventures that will change him into a new person.
Dom
USA Today, 12/14/02		 Tallest Hobbit I think it allows me to meet more ladies.
Dom
USA Today, 12/14/02		 Tolkien I was about 15. My dad gave it to me and gave me a year to read it, and I did in three months. He was quite impressed.

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