On Meeting Co-Stars On Skype, And The End Of Middle Earth (Probably)

"Basically my introduction to this was the script," says Elijah Wood, "which I'd read four or five months prior to shooting — it came together very fast, which is very rare in this industry. I just fell in love with the piece… It just had this immediacy and this energy that kind of jumped off the page and I loved the relationship between these two characters and what happens to both of them."

Wood and his co-star Celyn Jones, who portrays Thomas and is also the film's writer, have both been praised for their performances in Set Fire To The Stars, which have been likened to the on-screen relationship of Leonardo DiCaprio and Tobey Maguire in 2013's The Great Gatsby, another story about a man who adores the work of another, but soon realises not all is what it seems.

"He was sitting his kitchen, I was sitting at my dining room table, I put the camera around and my sister said hello!"

"I think that because we both knew that we had the responsibility of bringing these characters to life in 18 days and making this film in 18 days… I think to a certain degree we both leaned on each other but it was incredibly easy. He made my job easier and we were lucky that the two of us were so easily able to slip into a comfortable place as actors and friends."

Ironically, Wood reveals that he and Jones actually met for the first time via a Skype call. But wasn't that an awkward experience?

"It's funny," he laughs. "There's something very informal about a Skype call. He was sitting his kitchen, I was sitting at my dining room table, I put the camera around and my sister said hello!"

Australian fans will also be familiar with his run in the US adaption of dark comedy Wilfred, in which he starred opposite Brisbane actor and co-creator Jason Gann. The show wrapped up its final season just one year ago and Gann has expressed interest in another series or even a feature film. But does Wood feel the same?

"I would be up for it, if it made sense. We left it kind of on a closed circuit. But I spent four years playing that character opposite Jason and it was some of the most fun I've ever had, even if it was just for one more go would be great, I'd love to. As long as it was worth doing!"

As for his breakout role in the Lord Of The Rings films, which he reprised in 2012's The Hobbit series, Wood is pretty certain he's played Frodo for the last time.

"I would say that would be it. That's what I thought the first time, but I was proven wrong," he laughs. "But I really genuinely believe there would be no way for anyone to return to Middle Earth. They've covered all the material. I think it's done.

"It's one of those things where regardless if we see each other on a regular basis, it kind of transcends friendship, we're family and we'll know each other for the rest of our lives. Those guys will be a part of my life forever."