1978 Lord of the Rings: Bakshi's Animated Epic News

The 25th anniversary celebration of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy is set to get a bit more crowded, with Dominic Monaghan confirmed to join a reunion panel alongside Elijah Wood and other cast members at this year’s CCXP event in São Paulo. The announcement, which arrived with the event’s latest programming update, adds another familiar face to what is shaping up to be a major nostalgia moment for fans of Peter Jackson’s epic adaptation.

Monaghan, who played the ever-hungry hobbit Merry Brandybuck in the trilogy, will sit alongside his former co-stars for a conversation expected to cover the making of the films, their lasting legacy, and the bond that has persisted among the cast over the past two-and-a-half decades. While the full roster of attendees has not been formally disclosed, the inclusion of Wood - who portrayed Frodo Baggins - signals that the panel will likely focus on the Fellowship’s core members, with Monaghan’s presence reinforcing the theme of reunion that has defined the franchise’s recent public appearances.

The CCXP panel is not the first time the actors have come together for a milestone. In recent years, members of the cast have reunited for charity livestreams, anniversary retrospectives, and convention circuits, but this particular gathering carries extra weight given the timing. Releasing in December 2001, The Fellowship of the Ring was the first installment of a trilogy that would go on to redefine modern fantasy cinema, and its 25th anniversary falls in the middle of an industry-wide reckoning with the enduring popularity of Middle-earth.

The news also surfaces amid renewed interest in the franchise’s broader history, including its animated predecessor. The 1978 adaptation, directed by Ralph Bakshi, remains a touchstone for many fans, even as Jackson’s live-action versions became the definitive screen interpretation for most audiences. That earlier film, which runs 132 minutes and features voice work from Christopher Guard as Frodo, William Squire as Gandalf, and John Hurt as Aragorn, is often credited with introducing the story to a generation of viewers who would later flock to the theatrical releases. Its stylized animation and ambitious scope - covering the first half of The Fellowship of the Ring and much of The Two Towers - earned it a dedicated following, and its TMDb rating of 6.587 reflects a film that has aged into a cult classic.

For Monaghan and Wood, the CCXP appearance will be a chance to reconnect with the material that launched both of their careers into the international spotlight. Wood, who was already a child actor of note, became the emotional anchor of the trilogy as the ring-bearer, while Monaghan’s comedic timing and warmth as Merry provided a counterbalance to the darker themes of corruption and war. The two actors have remained close friends off-screen, often referencing their shared experiences in interviews and on social media, which should make for an easy and affable dynamic on stage.

The producers behind the CCXP panel have yet to announce whether other cast members, such as Sean Astin (Samwise Gamgee), Ian McKellen (Gandalf), or Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn), will join the lineup. Given the event’s track record of assembling large-scale casts for anniversary presentations, however, fans are cautiously optimistic that additional names will be added in the coming weeks. The panel is expected to be one of the marquee attractions of the convention, which has grown into one of the largest pop-culture gatherings in the world.

Beyond the reunion itself, the announcement has reignited conversations about the future of the franchise on both the big and small screens. With Amazon’s The Rings of Power series continuing to expand the lore of the Second Age, and Warner Bros. exploring new theatrical projects, the original trilogy’s legacy remains a touchstone for how audiences engage with Tolkien’s mythology. The 25th anniversary serves as a reminder of the cultural footprint those films left behind - a footprint that spans generations of viewers, from those who saw the films in theaters in 2001 to younger fans discovering them via streaming.

For Monaghan, the CCXP appearance is also a homecoming of sorts. The actor has regularly attended international fan conventions, particularly in Latin America, where his work on Lost and The Lord of the Rings has earned him a devoted following. His decision to join the CCXP panel likely stems from more than contractual obligation; it’s an opportunity to celebrate a role that defined his early career and continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.

The event itself will take place in early December, coinciding with the anniversary of the first film’s original release. While exact dates for the panel have not been specified, organizers have promised a “full retrospective” experience, including behind-the-scenes footage, audience Q&A sessions, and perhaps even a few surprises for the dedicated fans in attendance. For those unable to travel to São Paulo, CCXP has historically offered live-streaming options, suggesting that the reunion will be accessible to a global audience.

As the announcement settles in, the question on many fans’ minds is simple: who else will show up? With Monaghan and Wood now confirmed, the possibility of a more complete Fellowship gathering feels increasingly within reach. Whether the remaining members join in physical form or via prerecorded video messages, the panel is poised to be a heartfelt tribute to a series that changed the landscape of blockbuster filmmaking. For now, the countdown to December is officially on.

Source: Hollywood Reporter