I chatted with Elijah Wood about Skittles, his favorite breakfast and what it's like interacting with Lord of the Rings fans.
It’s been 25 years since the very first Lord of the Rings movies premiered in theaters. That’s when most people came to know actor Elijah Wood, who was thrust into the spotlight with his performance as Frodo Baggins. Like any actor who has had a major role in a huge franchise, he’s remained in the hearts of many fans well beyond the movies’ release.
And speaking of fans, Elijah Wood is about to bring something very special to one lucky fan in particular. He’s partnered with Skittles to perform a live commercial ad during that big football game on Sunday, February 8. All you have to do is order Skittles through Gopuff to be delivered to your door, and Elijah will personally bring them to you—and then perform the commercial, of course.
This particular ad imagines a world where a magical horn can summon a mysterious creature, played by Wood, who appears on demand to deliver candy. And Skittles is bringing that fantasy to life on game day by delivering not just candy, but the entire Big Game commercial itself, directly to a fan’s doorstep.
It’s truly a one-of-a-kind moment, and I had the opportunity to chat with Elijah Wood about Skittles and this unique partnership. We also talked about his relationship with fans and what his favorite foods are—including his go-to frozen pizza brand.
On His Skittles Partnership
Taste of Home: What drew you to this partnership with Skittles?
Elijah Wood: Honestly, I’m genuinely a fan. And I’ve been a fan of their advertising for ages. They constantly take risks. The rules don’t really apply to them. Skittles ads are super weird, left of center and really funny. They’re often kind of tinged with a little bit of tragedy, and ours is no exception.
The opportunity to do an ad for this game—first, it’s such a coveted place for advertising, so I was thrilled about that. But also, that it was Skittles was just like a total thrill for real. Plus, this extremely ambitious idea of delivering a live Skittles ad on someone’s lawn on game day is just really exciting.
TOH: It kind of seems like a theater nerd’s dream, right?
EW: I mean, it’s going to be! And what that will be, I have no idea yet. I’m sure there’s going to be quite a lot of coordinating and rehearsing, and I’m really excited about it all.
TOH: What’s your favorite Skittles flavor?
EW: I, uh—the colors are red and purple. Those are my favorites.
TOH: I debated asking flavor or color because I feel like everyone is usually like, “the red ones.”
EW: I also don’t know the flavors. And I’ve been eating them all my life! But yeah, red and purple, I think. Until today, I hadn’t really thought about it or been asked that question. It only just occurred to me that those are my two favorites.
On His Relationship with Fans
TOH: What do you think is the best part about being able to do this Skittles ad live?
EW: There are a few elements. I’m looking forward to finding out where it’s going to be. The difference between performing it on stage or in a sound stage and then actually doing it on someone’s lawn—I’m really excited to see how we pull it off.
I’m also excited to meet the folks who we are delivering this ad to. I think it’ll be a real thrill to see how they respond, and how the neighborhood gets to see this whole thing transpire. I think that is going to be a special element, too.
TOH: Any time you have a fan interaction, I’m sure it’s really memorable for the fan. But I’m curious: What do you take away from those interactions?
EW: Oh, that’s a great question. It’s whenever I meet someone for whom anything I’ve been a part of has had any kind of impact on their life. A lot of that tends to be around the Lord of the Rings. It can be about the closeness of their family, and the fact that they watch those movies every year and have since they came out. It can be that two people met because of their mutual love of the Lord of the Rings.
Getting a sense of the way that something I’ve been a part of has impacted someone is a really special feeling, you know? It’s obviously something that they connect to, and I play a small part in that. When that’s shared and reflected back on me, you can’t deny it’s a lovely thing.
Elijah Wood’s Favorite Foods
TOH: What is your go-to comfort food?
EW: Mmm, pizza. I love pizza. I love all kinds of pizza, to be honest. I love New York style. Even Chicago deep dish, which is a real controversy for some people. I have friends that don’t consider it pizza, and I will argue that it is absolutely pizza. Pizza can be many things.
TOH: Pizza can be many things…is pizza a sandwich?
EW: Wow, I don’t know about that. I also love Detroit style. There’s a great place in Austin, Texas, called Via 313 that I love. I also really love Amy’s frozen margherita pizza. That’s a real comfort food for me.
TOH: Wow, okay, that is good. I love Amy’s frozen pizza options.
EW: They’re great. And I lament the fact that their pesto is no longer in circulation! Their pesto pizza, which had broccoli and pesto as the base, was so good.
TOH: What do you like to eat for breakfast?
EW: I go through phases. When I’m home and there’s a sense of routine, I tend to kind of stick with something for a while. There’s a bagel brand I love, called Royo bagels. Lately it’s been—and this is gonna sound funny—but I’ve been doing a bagel with hummus and sauerkraut. It’s either that or oatmeal. I’m pretty consistent with oatmeal, maybe some oatmeal with yogurt. I love breakfast foods of all kinds. I love eggs. I do love breakfast in general.
TOH: Do you also love second breakfast?
EW: [Laughs] I guess you could say brunch is second breakfast, and I do love brunch!
How to Win a Live Skittles Ad with Elijah Wood
Right now through January 21, fans can visit DeliverTheRainbow.com to learn how to enter for a chance to have Elijah Wood show up on February 8 delivering a live Skittles commercial—and, of course, the candy itself.
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