The real reason we don't hear about Elijah Wood anymore

[TMC]

http://www.looper.com/46609/real-rea...&utm_content=5

Once described by veteran film critic Roger Ebert as "the most talented actor in his age group in Hollywood history," Elijah Wood's transformation from child prodigy to global superstar can be summed up in five simple words: The Lord of the Rings. Like his character in Peter Jackson's original trilogy, the fresh-faced 18-year-old agreed to shoulder a heavy burden when he took on the part of Frodo Baggins, leading a blockbuster franchise that carried the expectations of millions of J.R.R. Tolkien fans the world over. A decade-and-a-half has passed since then, and while the cultural impact of the films (along with the three prequels) has kept The Lord of the Rings relevant, its young star seems to have faded entirely. How did he go from being one of the most recognizable actors in the world to someone operating on the fringes of the industry? Here's the real reason we don't hear about Elijah Wood anymore.

He doesn't like American humor

Recently, Elijah Wood appeared in BBC America's Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, a remake of a British crime comedy series that got the ax after a single season in the UK. While promoting the show, Wood joined the debate about the not-so-subtle differences between comedy on both sides of the Atlantic, claiming British comedy is a much wittier brand of humor. "The British actors working on [The Lord of the Rings] spoon-fed me everything from The Day Today to Brass Eye to The Mighty Boosh," Wood told The Telegraph . "[British comedy] doesn't adhere to the same needs of American humor. It doesn't constantly require a laugh out of you. It's more sarcastic. There's more wit to it."

It wasn't the first time Wood had taken a swipe at the state of American comedy. He spoke to another British publication about his series Wilfred (another remake, this time of an Australian show) and expressed frustration at how such shows are handled in the United States. "I always hoped [Wilfred] would be similar to a British comedy series," Wood told the Radio Times, "where it would tell a story and be done with it, as opposed to the typically American thing which is to beat something into the ground over and over. I'm not interested in that." So if you were ever hoping for an Elijah Wood-Will Ferrell buddy comedy, you should probably just let that dream die.

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[king of comedy]

I wish him well.

[Torgo]

Yep, Elijah Wood hates American comedy so much, he starred in and produced the American horror comedy Cooties. One of the reasons he got involved in the film? To work with some of the American comedy talent he had been a fan of.

And yes, Dirk Gently was axed after the first season, that's why it's returning for a second season this October.