Key Takeaways:
– Main cast of The Lord of the Rings got matching tattoos, with the exception of John Rhys-Davies, instead sending his stunt double.
– Rhys-Davies revealed his avoidance of tattoos is due to his disapproval of needles and his generational perception of tattoos.
– According to Rhys-Davies, tattoos signify camaraderie among military personnel and cultural heritage in some tribal communities.
At the 20th anniversary of the film series, “The Lord of the Rings,” the main cast members got matching tattoos as a remembrance of their involvement in the iconic franchise. Cast member, John Rhys-Davies, however, chose not to participate in this tribute. Instead, he permitted his stunt double to step in his place. The veteran actor recently shared his reasons for his decision, discussing the significance and meaning he attaches to tattoos.
Rhys-Davies, known for his portrayal of Gimli, the brave yet humorous warrior, recently appeared on Michael Rosenbaum’s show, “Inside of You.” The conversation inevitably turned to the topic of the cast’s matching tattoos. The actor, known for eschewing the spotlight and staying true to his principles, sent his stunt double for the tattooing session. Rhys-Davies confessed to not being fond of needles and added that his decision was primarily driven by his perception of tattoos.
To Rhys-Davies, tattoos stand as a symbol of camaraderie amongst military personnel and as a mark of heritage in some tribal communities, including the Maori. As he belongs to a generation that highly respects these associations, he refrains from getting tattoos for other reasons.
The veteran actor further quipped about how, if he had gotten a tattoo for every film he’d done in his career, his body would resemble the heavily inked protagonist of Ray Bradbury’s “The Illustrated Man.”
In a candid conversation with ComicBook.com, Rhys-Davies had previously expressed his distaste for the tattoo trend prevalent among his Hollywood counterparts. The “Indiana Jones” actor voiced his reluctance to spoil his skin with needles. He also cited his scar-laden body, a testament to his adventurous life, as a reason he doesn’t need tattoos.
Tattoo celebration has been long associated with Hollywood, with the original cast of “The Avengers” also sporting matching tattoos after the wrapping up of “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Avengers: Endgame.” Despite this trend, Rhys-Davies remains disinterested.
In summary, Rhys-Davies’ refusal to join his “The Lord of The Rings” co-stars in getting matching tattoos marks his strong convictions about the significance of tattoos and his aversion to needles. The actor stands as a vivid example of an artist valuing personal principles over popular trends. Fans can reminisce about the iconic fantasy film trilogy, available to stream on Max. Indeed, the tale of the brave Gimli might be a silver screen phenomenon, but the actor behind the character continues to capture attention with his real-life stands and endeavors.
