| Sean Astin
Sean Astin’s life changed forever when he took on the role of Samwise
Gamgee in “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. On opening day of “The Lord of
the Rings: Return of the King” Sean returns to MSN to talk with fans about
his character, what fans can expect in this new epic and what exactly
happened behind the scenes on location in New Zealand. Before you catch a
screening of this film, this is one event you can’t miss.
©MSN Live. Edited for clarity.
Originally Webcast December 17, 2003
Digital Dish Diva says:
Welcome to MSN Live! This afternoon we are pleased to welcome actor
Sean Astin back to MSN! Sean stars as Sam in “The Lord of the Rings”
trilogy!
Digital Dish Diva says:
Sean, it's great to have you back! How are you doing today? You have
fans here from around the world! Thanks for being here!
Sean Astin says:
Last night I made a spontaneous appearance to a Manhattan theatre last
night at 12:01.
Digital Dish Diva says:
I imagine this must be an insane day for you.
Sean Astin says:
Today has been a bit more sedate because I did an interview with
“Rolling Stone” and then I had a few hours of radio station interviews. So
the rest of the day I got to veg out and it's been a lot more relaxing
than yesterday or the day before.
Digital Dish Diva says:
There are so many fans online who are so passionate about “The Lord of
the Rings.” Does this surprise you?
Digital Dish Diva says:
I mean there are people who know how to speak Elvish!
Sean Astin says:
A couple in Portland got married in line. That ran on the news today
and I found that extraordinary. I've been exposed to some of this intense
appreciation about the films but it keeps getting more, more extreme. The
last 36 hours and the next couple of days will be the pinnacle. It's been
unexpected. It's been an "unexpected party."
HobbitFan2009 in Onstage_1 asks:
Yay! I'm really happy! My dad is taking me to see “ROTK” tonight! What
was your favorite scene to film?
Sean Astin says:
I loved finally getting to fight Shelob. I hope you have a great time
at the movie.
Digital Dish Diva says:
That is one scary spider.
Panamapk in Onstage_1 asks:
Thank you so much for being here! We are all crazy fans. Don't get too
scared!
PatriciaF82 in Onstage_1 asks:
Hi Sean. Did anyone play practical jokes on the movie set?
Sean Astin says:
But of course. (laughs) The most recent practical joke was in Berlin
and Elijah was in New York doing “Saturday Night Live” doing satellite
(interviews) during the night and he couldn't see anyone. Dom posed as
this guy named Gunther and he asked some rude questions. Elijah was
mortified trying not to get worked up at the questions given him by this
fake journalist.
greatescape86 in Onstage_1 asks:
I am impressed with your short film "The Long and Short of It." Any
upcoming projects you are directing?
Sean Astin says:
Thank you for the compliment. It is really fun that so many people have
seen it on the DVD. I have decided to make myself wide open in terms of my
availability and to focus on one project to see what opportunities present
themselves with "Return of the King." My publicist said to me that he
hopes that I will hopefully be in front or behind the camera very soon.
Mr-Nonickname in Onstage_1 asks:
Hey Sean! I heard that your daughter played Elanor in “Return of the
King.” Is this true? If it is, did she like acting?
Sean Astin says:
Right now I'm relaxing at E! News Daily, just kicking back.
Sean Astin says:
It is true. She liked being part of the film but I don't know that she
likes acting. She does like having her picture taken and has a lot of
personality in front of the camera so we need to keep an eye on her.
Palandin1 in Onstage_1 asks:
Sam is my favorite character in the books. You have done such an
awesome job portraying Sam. What are your favorite attributes of his
character?
Sean Astin says:
It was a several year project to get her to look like me. I had help
from my beautiful bride. (laughs)
Sean Astin says:
In one of the reviews I read about the performance the journalist said
he thought I captured the quiet strength of the character and I've thought
about that idea and enjoyed it. I can rattle off a string of adjectives
for that character but I've thought about the character so much that those
word change over time. So right now I like quiet strength.
TheDeadParrot3 in Onstage_1 asks:
What's the weirdest piece of merchandise you've seen your face on?
Sean Astin says:
I can't talk about the airplane, stamps or currency in New Zealand
because they weren't merchandise. We are actual legal tender there. I feel
like Gulliver. There are some weird puzzles. Are we toilet paper yet?
(laughs)
Sean Astin says:
My wife is here. She just looked at me and said "Bobblehead!"
djdeathskiss in Onstage_1 asks:
Hey Sean, you rocked in “ROTK”! Were you as emotional as the rest of us
when you finally saw the finished film?
Sean Astin says:
When I first saw it in it's unfinished form in England I cried harder
than I've ever cried in my life. When I saw the final version I was mostly
analytical and dispassionate figuring what had been cut out. I'm hoping in
the extended version of the DVD that I can reach the same level of
emotional attachment. There was so much that had to be cut out and that
impacted how I responded to the film. I'm glad that everyone doesn't know
what's cut out so they can have their own opinion of the film. The last 45
minutes of the film is very satisfying for me to watch.
Digital Dish Diva says:
It really is about you and Elijah's character.
Sean Astin says:
There's such intimacy in the characterization and so much weight given
to it that we ultimately bear the acute focal point in the film. But if
everyone wasn't playing their part and the music coming together so well,
people wouldn't have that emotional experience.
Ringbearer1127 in Onstage_1 asks:
Hey Sean, me and my friends just saw the “Return of the King” last
night. It was awesome! We gave it a standing ovation. If there's anything
you'd like to say to the fans, what would it be?
Sean Astin says:
Quite simply thank you. The thought that people like you are giving
standing ovations in cinemas where you think we can't hear or feel your
energy, fills me with gratitude and we feel it around the world.
Sean Astin says:
We just ignore the boos and hecklers. (laughs)
hello_huge_fan_101 in Onstage_1 asks:
What is your favorite thing about Tolkien's books?
Sean Astin says:
I think my favorite thing would have to be how many different,
incredible observations of human nature he interweaves into this story.
You can read it and learn about yourself, communicated so clearly and
articulately. Tolkien must have been a good study of human behavior and he
fused that and enlightenment into his work. That's what I like about it.
PleasantPineapple in Onstage_1 asks:
Hi Sean. I've heard the final film has created some Oscar buzz. Do you
and the other cast members plan on attending? As a CA. Native I'm excited
to see how it plays out.
Sean Astin says:
I'm excited too. I'm nervous. I didn't know that anyone would have
plans. I knew Peter Jackson would fly from New Zealand. We're all on the
edge of our seats for that. I would be lying if I said it wasn't a
consideration for us. Knowing that this last episode has been given to the
world now, everyone takes great pride and satisfaction that the fans have
enjoyed the films. Hopefully our peers will include this movie in their
thoughts when the time comes.
Sean Astin says:
Peter thinks that people should vote from their heart and let the chips
fall where they may.
AnamSamWise in Onstage_1 asks:
Hi Sean. Our family thinks you're the best! We love ya! Funny question
for you - what did you and the rest of the fellowship do when in an
interview you guys found that "Frodo" exposed the secret tattoo?
Sean Astin says:
Tell your family I said thank you very much. This story has gotten a
lot of press in the last few days. Ian was the first to show his tattoo
and then I was next to show it on TV on accident. The Elijah felt like
everyone was showing their and he showed his
Sean Astin says:
We're all very forgiving of each other with the pact we tried to keep.
WantsOlderWomen in Onstage_1 asks:
What was the last scene you shot, and was it really emotional knowing
that you have spent the last 2 years with these people and now its over?
Sean Astin says:
WantsOlderWoman, hope she's out there. (laughs)
Sean Astin says:
The last scene that made it in the final cut Frodo and Sam on the
plains as the Eye is bearing down on them. I was exhausted and it was
emotional and I didn't experience the full emotionality of the experience
until I saw the cut in England.
Sean Astin says:
I did cry that night because Peter gave a speech and showed outtakes
and gave me, my wife and daughter presents including Sam’s feet, the dress
my daughter wore, and an Elvin brooch. We did know we had to do press for
the film so we knew we'd see the other actors.
©ølø?ãdø_68 in Onstage_1 asks:
Wasn't it hard to act with the character Gollum?
Sean Astin says:
No, it was not hard in the sense that people might think that working
with a CG character. Andy Serkis made it so much easier with his sheer
force of his intensity of a dramatic actor. There are more fight scenes
and a lot more emotionality and those take a physical toll on you. It was
difficult logistically to work with the computer things but working with
Gollum wasn't hard. It was new and innovative but not hard.
Biggertaylorboydstaff in Onstage_1 asks:
What do you think about all the quips people make about the hobbit's
sexualities?
Sean Astin says:
I think it's funny. I enjoy actually seeing other people get off on
exploring their own ideas of their own sexuality through these characters.
I don't think that those discussions come organically out of the material.
I think the material lacks the sexuality people focus on but I don't
begrudge people to think about what they feel as long as they are not
hurting anybody.
Reesh2009 in Onstage_1 asks:
What did your kids think about seeing you on the big screen as a
hobbit?
Sean Astin says:
I don't think the baby gets it. She did when I was on TRL yesterday.
She walked up to the TV and said "Dad, Dad" and wanted me to pick her up.
Alexandra was uncomfortable with the dirty feet idea but playing a hobbit
herself she gets it. At the end of the day when they took off my feet she
would pick off the glue that was left behind. I hope she doesn't develop a
foot fetish.
Sean Astin says:
I'm looking out over Time Square (in New York) and there's a huge
Reuter's newsboard and I just saw myself and Elijah scrolling down it.
HannColl in Onstage_1 asks:
Did you enjoy getting the chance to do comedy in “Fifty First Dates”?
How was Adam Sandler to work with?
Sean Astin says:
I relish the opportunity to do something so completely different from
Sam. I think I've got real comedy chops in me and I was able to show a
glimmer of them in the part. Adam Sandler is something to behold. He
carries himself with grace and I enjoyed being in his realm.
Zachgo51 in Onstage_1 asks:
I was just wondering is their any chance that there will be movies for
books like “The Hobbit” or books that have to do with “Lord of the Rings.”
Sean Astin says:
Sam isn't in The Hobbit but someone brought up that I might be able to
play Gaffer Gamgee in makeup. It would be fun if they figure out the
rights issue and if Peter commits to do it.
Palandin1 in Onstage_1 asks:
On the scenes where you are punching out Gollum (GO SAM!), were you
punching Andy Serkis or thin air?
Sean Astin says:
Punching Gollum. I never punched Andy. I only got to punch thin air or
sand bags.
gabrielrose-livejournal in Onstage_1 asks:
Out of all the movies you have worked on, which one is your favorite?
Sean Astin says:
Hard to say. I would probably say "Lord of the Rings" or "Rudy" or "Goonies."
I had fun working on a film called "Kimberly." Not many people saw it but
I was in good shape and was at a good time in Philly, Ally was young it
was a great time.
Sean Astin says:
I'm sort of overwhelmed by the volume of how many people are into these
movies. It's great to get off planes and see screaming people but it seems
like a more direct communication with fans of the film when I can do chat
shows like this and hear such great and interesting questions. Reporters
and journalists can be hard but people like you are pure. The fans rock.
Asking the questions that have to be asked let the actors communicate
their ideas and shape the response of people. But I'm not like that.
Sean Astin says:
I am more trusting of the audience and what I like about the fan
questions is that they are unusually specific and you get the sense of
personalities with everyone's handles/ names.
curious_mandy_gamgee in Onstage_1 asks:
So you act. You direct. You write. You've done some politics. What's
next, Mr. Multitasker?
Sean Astin says:
(laughs) Grad school? (laughs) You forgot fatherhood. (laughs)
Sean Astin says:
I'll tell you what, relaxation. I'm looking forward to studying the
fine art of relaxation.
Digital Dish Diva says:
You deserve it at this point.
Sean Astin says:
The only fear is that I'll relax and when I am ready to get back to
work I'll have missed the boat. I don't know if it's necessary to worry
about that so I'll keep slogging on and see what happens.
Digital Dish Diva says:
Well, Sean, from all of your fans from around the world, best of luck
with "Return of the King" and "Fifty First Dates."
Sean Astin says:
My heart is filled with love and gratitude for all the fans and the
incredible response they've given me and ways they've shown me. It's very
meaningful to me and I say thank you.
Sean Astin says:
I love the technology age where I can communicate with everyone around
the world. Good night. |