Actually, Elijah Wood never did read the books, although he has read The Hobbit.

Elijah Wood never did read the books,

Seriously? I must have missed this. Huh.

Also I thought Sir Ian had not read them before filming started? Or did he read them after he got offered the part?

I think that Viggo said he hadn't read the books, but his son had and his son thought the idea of his father playing Strider would be way cool. Hence Viggo's last minute acceptance of the role.

Sir Ian read them after he read the script.

I am really surprised that EW didn't read them. Like, really.

I know lots of the actors didn't read them until after they got the parts - but not to have read them at all? That is just weird. I mean - you're in NZ for a while, got a lot of time on your hands, I am thinking there might be a copy or two laying around the set.

Viggo had not read the books when he got the part, but I'm pretty certain he read them after he was on set. In fact, I'm pretty sure everyone read them while they were making the movie, even Elijah.

Actually most of the cast had NOT read the books when cast, and only read them after.

I am really surprised that EW didn't read them. Like, really.

You know, I am too. Because, how do you know Frodo is the plum part in the movie unless you've read them? There is much laudatory story of him seeking out the part despite all the knocks against him (being American, being still a minor) -- was the first (eleventy-third) draft of the script really that good?

I do remember every Tom, Dick and Mablung interviewed in the press making offhand remarks about this and that bit of canon, so whoever didn't ever read the books seems to have been in the tiny minority.

I wouldn't be surprised if he made a conscious decision not to read the books. Don't forget that Frodo was the hobbit most altered by the adaptation--he's now a young man, as opposed to a middle-aged bachelor, who's tossed into the quest with no warning, and no clue as to what's coming his way, instead of having months to ease himself into the journey. Also, the addict subplot was definitely enhanced in the screenplay.

I think that Dom Monaghan and possibly Sean Bean were the only two of the core nine actors to read the books before auditioning.

Because, how do you know Frodo is the plum part in the movie unless you've read them?

And Elijah seems to be the most sentimental about the Fellowship-ness of it all - so again, I can't see him not wanting to read the books, learn Elvish, have hair transplanted to the tops of his feet, etc. And weren't the hobbits there three months in advance? Like I said, you'd think there might have been a copy provided to them.