Elijah Wood has taken a heartfelt trip down memory lane after appearing on The Drew Barrymore Show, where he was surprised with footage from one of his very first interviews — filmed when he was just 11 years old.
The moment came as Wood joined Drew Barrymore to promote his upcoming film Ready or Not: Here I Come, a sequel to the cult horror hit Ready or Not.
The new instalment is expected to return to the same darkly comic, high-stakes premise — following a bride caught in a deadly game with her new in-laws — with Wood joining the cast in what marks another step into the horror genre for the actor, who has increasingly leaned into offbeat and genre-driven roles in recent years.
But it was the throwback clip that stole the spotlight.
@thedrewbarrymoreshow how precious is this?! 🥹 (🎥: @Entertainment Tonight) #elijahwood #drewbarrymore ♬ original sound - thedrewbarrymoreshow
Introducing the segment, Barrymore told him: “We have a clip from one of your very first interviews, because we’re CBS and we have keys to the Entertainment Tonight vault.”
The line drew a laugh, nodding to the vast archives held by one of the world’s biggest entertainment outlets — before the footage rolled.
Wood’s reaction was immediate and unfiltered: “Oh my God!” he exclaimed, clearly caught off guard by the glimpse into his childhood.
The moment carried an added layer of meaning given both stars’ shared history in Hollywood.
Like Wood, Barrymore knows exactly what it’s like to grow up in front of cameras — and to later revisit those early years.
She has spoken openly about how emotional it can be to see herself as a child, including during a February 2025 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where she reacted to archival footage from her breakthrough role in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. She was making her very own tonight show debut at 7 years old.
@fallontonight @Drew Barrymore reacts to a video of her at 7 years old screaming on The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson! #FallonTonight #TonightShow #DrewBarrymore #JohnnyCarson #JimmyFallon ♬ original sound - FallonTonight
Barrymore was just 7 years old when she starred in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, a performance that made her one of the most recognisable child actors in the world. But that was only the beginning.
She went on to appear in films like Firestarter at age 9 and Irreconcilable Differences at 10, building a prolific early career that unfolded under intense public scrutiny.
As she has often reflected, that early fame came with challenges — something she clearly connected to in her conversation with Wood.
On the show, she highlighted that shared experience, telling him: “We’ve all grown up together. We’re in this experience together.” Wood, in turn, acknowledged just how visible Barrymore’s journey has been, replying: “We’ve watched you grow up for sure!”
Wood’s own path into acting began just as early.
He first gained attention as a child actor in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with roles in films like Radio Flyer and The Good Son showcasing a natural screen presence well beyond his years.
But it was his casting as Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings that would ultimately cement his global fame, turning him into one of the most recognisable faces of his generation.
Since then, he has deliberately chosen a wide range of projects — from indie films to voice work and horror — avoiding being boxed into a single type of role.
That idea of evolving beyond an early identity is exactly what the exchange between Wood and Barrymore tapped into.
Closing the moment, Barrymore reflected on the ongoing nature of growing up — even decades into a career — saying: “I’m still growing.” Wood responded with a sentiment that neatly summed up their shared journey: “Aren’t we all?!”
It’s a simple exchange, but one that speaks to a broader reality for former child stars. Being introduced to the world at such a young age often means being defined by that version of yourself — making it all the more difficult to shift public perception later on.
It’s something Miley Cyrus has been grappling with in recent years. After rising to fame as the squeaky-clean lead of Hannah Montana, Cyrus has spoken openly about the challenges of breaking away from that image and being accepted as an adult artist with a more complex, edgier identity.
In that sense, the moment between Wood and Barrymore feels particularly timely. As both actors look back on their earliest days in the industry, they’re also part of a wider conversation about what it means to grow up in public — and to keep evolving long after the world thinks it already knows who you are.
Elijah Wood has shared his deep affection for Ireland, praising the country and its people during a recent interview alongside co-star Sarah Michelle Gellar.
The pair were speaking to Joe.ie while on the press tour for their upcoming horror sequel Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come, and the conversation quickly turned to Wood’s experiences visiting Ireland.
@joedotie "I've done a lot of driving there. It's such a beautiful beautiful place." 💚 JOE chatted to Elijah Wood and Sarah Michelle Gellar about their new horror sequel Ready or Not 2: Here I Come 🍿 Elijah spoke about his deep love of Ireland, while Sarah recounted a story of her husband Freddie Prinze Jr's experience in the Emerald Isle 🇮🇪 Ready or Not 2: Here I Come will be released in cinemas on Friday, 20 March. #ireland #irish #films #cinema #elijahwood ♬ original sound - JOE.ie
Elijah did not hold back in expressing his admiration for the country, saying: 'Oh I love Ireland. It's so special. The people are so wonderful - the kindest people.'
He went on to highlight one of his favourite aspects of travelling here, adding: 'It's relatively small. I love that about it. You can drive from Dublin to Galway in 4 hours. You can cover so much ground. I've done a lot of driving there. It's such a beautiful, beautiful place.'
Wood’s fondness for Ireland is perhaps unsurprising given his long-standing connection to fantasy storytelling and landscapes that echo the country’s rugged beauty.
The actor is, of course, best known worldwide for his role as Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings trilogy—a performance that helped define a generation of cinema. Released between 2001 and 2003, the trilogy became a global phenomenon, earning critical acclaim and sweeping the awards circuit, with The Return of the King famously winning 11 Academy Awards.
Wood’s portrayal of Frodo, the humble hobbit tasked with carrying the One Ring to Mount Doom, cemented him as a household name and an enduring figure in pop culture. The role demanded emotional depth and vulnerability, qualities that have since become hallmarks of his acting career.
Despite achieving blockbuster fame at a young age, Wood has consistently chosen eclectic and often unconventional projects, particularly within the horror genre.
In recent years, he has carved out a reputation as a passionate advocate for independent horror cinema, both in front of and behind the camera through his production company, SpectreVision. His filmography includes chilling and offbeat titles such as Maniac and Come to Daddy, showcasing his willingness to embrace darker, more experimental storytelling.
That makes his involvement in Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come a natural fit. The sequel follows on from the surprise success of Ready or Not, a darkly comic horror that became a cult hit upon its release. The original film starred Samara Weaving as a young bride who is forced to take part in a deadly game of hide-and-seek with her new in-laws on her wedding night.
Made on a relatively modest budget, Ready or Not was both a critical and commercial success, praised for its sharp satire, inventive premise and standout performances.
It grossed significantly more than expected at the box office and quickly built a loyal fanbase, cementing its status as one of the most memorable horror releases of recent years.
The upcoming sequel, Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come, is expected to expand on that premise, bringing back the film’s signature blend of tension, dark humour and social commentary.
While full plot details are still under wraps, anticipation has been building among horror fans eager to see how the story evolves—and how new cast members like Wood and Gellar fit into its twisted world.
For Sarah Michelle Gellar, the project represents another chapter in a career that has long been intertwined with the horror and supernatural genres. She rose to international fame as the titular character in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which ran from 1997 to 2003 and became a cultural touchstone.
As Buffy Summers, Gellar redefined the archetype of the “final girl,” blending strength, wit and emotional complexity in a way that resonated deeply with audiences. The show’s impact extended far beyond television, influencing an entire generation of genre storytelling and cementing Gellar’s status as an icon.
She further solidified her horror credentials with roles in films such as I Know What You Did Last Summer and The Grudge, both of which were major box office successes and staples of late 1990s and early 2000s horror cinema.
Over the years, she has balanced genre work with comedies and dramas, but her association with horror has remained a defining part of her career.
Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr
During the interview, Gellar admitted she has yet to visit Ireland herself, but is well aware of its appeal thanks to her husband, Freddie Prinze Jr..
She explained: 'I have not [been to Ireland]. When my husband went through his first big breakup in life, he took a solo trip to Ireland. That's where he saw U2!'
Despite not having visited yet, Gellar revealed that a family trip is already on the horizon, adding: 'He can't wait to go back and wants to take the kids. I haven't had the pleasure yet, but it's on the list!'
With both stars currently promoting Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come, their comments offer a glimpse into the off-screen personalities behind the project—blending Hollywood glamour with a genuine appreciation for Ireland’s landscape and culture.
For Irish audiences, Wood’s heartfelt praise is likely to strike a chord, particularly given his global stature and the enduring legacy of The Lord of the Rings. Meanwhile, Gellar’s enthusiasm to finally experience the country firsthand suggests Ireland remains firmly on the radar for international stars.
As anticipation builds for the sequel, the combination of established genre talent and a proven horror franchise points to another potential hit. And if Wood’s comments are anything to go by, Ireland may well continue to leave a lasting impression on those who visit—whether they arrive as tourists, or as some of Hollywood’s most recognisable faces.
