Sean Astin and Family at The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug Premiere

Sean Astin, his wife Christine and eldest daughter Alexandra (who portrayed Sam Gamgee's daughter, Elanor, in Return of the King) attended the world premiere of The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug in Los Angeles, December 2, 2013.

Elanor and Samwise Gamgee/Alexandra and Sean Astin
Comparison by Linda Iroff

“It’s an absolute triumph, no joke,” enthused Sean Astin, who played Samwise Gamgee in Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, to the filmmaker. “I saw at least nine things I’ve never seen before in movies. I mean, ever!” —Hollywood Reporter

My official review of the movie is that it is spectacular. I absolutely loved it!!!! —Sean Astin Facebook page

Here are videos and photos of Sean and his family on the red carpet prior to the screening.

Sean Astin and Adam Brown panel at ACCC

Sean Astin and Adam Brown (Ori in The Hobbit) did a panel together at the Alamo City Comic Con in San Antonio this weekend. Here are some clips.

Sean Astin interviewed by Ahlan!

From an interview by Ahlan! Magazine during the Middle East Film and Comic Con:

Lord of the Rings star Sean Astin, 42, told Ahlan! it was “bittersweet” not to reprise his role of Samwise in new movie, The Hobbit.  

Sean, who made The Goonies when he was 13, said: “I knew Samwise didn’t exist in the book and it would be pretty hard to shoehorn him into the film. They knew I would do it if they asked me to, even though it would be strange putting on that costume again after 12 years.”

The Hobbit and Goonies trailer mashup

A brilliantly done mashup of The Hobbit trailer and The Goonies!

John Rhys-Davies in The Hobbit? Alas no!

At least two popular Lord of the Rings oriented web sites have posted that John Rhys-Davies might have a cameo in The Hobbit based on this reddit post. As I was sitting right next to John at the time this incident happened, I thought I'd set the record straight.

John Rhys-Davies at Fandom Fest

Both John and Sean Astin were asked more than once about whether or not they would appear in the new movies. The first time John was asked in my presence, he answered that no, he would not be in it. He told the story of how he visited the set early in filming, went up to the actor playing Gloin (Peter Hambleton) and shouted "Daddy!" The second time, he again answered no, then when "pressed" jokingly said you never know or words to that effect.

HE WAS JOKING!

Neither John nor Sean have filmed any scenes for The Hobbit, which is just now wrapping up principal photography. There is always a chance either or both could have scenes added in pickups, but I'd bet against it! It's a bet I wouldn't mind losing though! :-)

(John did however hint at an upcoming movie with another former co-star!)