Elijah Wood Breaks Silence on Viral “Will You Wear Wigs?” Meme After 20 Years

For over two decades, a bizarre interview clip of Elijah Wood fielding relentless questions about wig-wearing has baffled and delighted the internet. Now, the Lord of the Rings star has finally addressed the viral phenomenon head-on, revealing his own amusement and confusion about his infamous reaction. At the C2E2 2025 convention in Chicago, Wood offered fans long-awaited closure on the “Will you wear wigs?” meme that turned a DVD Easter egg into enduring digital folklore.

Wood’s Candid C2E2 Confession

During a Lord of the Rings reunion panel, a fan submitted the question everyone wanted answered: “Do you wear wigs?” Wood burst into laughter before delivering the punchline the internet craved: “I will.” Reflecting on the now-legendary 2004 interview, Wood shared that he recently rewatched the clip with his wife. “I showed my wife the video recently, and she had never seen the interview,” he explained. “I rewatched it for the first time in a long time, and I don’t know why I was so anti-wig. I was really resistant.” Co-star Dominic Monaghan, seated beside him, couldn’t resist chiming in: “I spent 18 months with you, you wore wigs every day,” referencing their time filming the epic trilogy. Wood admitted his bewilderment at his own past self: “I genuinely at that point knew I was in some sort of ruse… I watched the video, and I’m like, ‘Dude, just say you wear wigs!’” (C2E2 2024 Panel).

The Prank That Launched a Thousand Memes

The viral moment originated from a 2004 DVD featurette for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Extended Edition. Unbeknownst to Wood, Monaghan—disguising his voice via audio feed—orchestrated the entire exchange. Monaghan peppered Wood with increasingly absurd questions like “Do you wear wigs?”, “Will you wear wigs?”, and “When will you wear wigs?” Wood, visibly confused but attempting professionalism, responded with hesitant answers like “Maybe” and “I don’t know,” creating perfect comedic awkwardness. Buried as a DVD Easter egg, the clip resurfaced years later, exploding on TikTok and Reddit where users dissected Wood’s pained expressions and deadpan delivery. One Reddit user explained the setup: “They’re not in the same room… the one asking the questions is pranking him by disguising his voice” (Reddit LOTR Community Thread).

Internet Erupts Over Long-Awaited Closure

Wood’s C2E2 comments ignited fresh waves of online reactions. TikTok flooded with clips juxtaposing the 2004 interview and his 2025 response. “HE WAS LYING!?!” exclaimed one commenter, while another noted, “The inflection of MAYBE was exactly the same.” A third user highlighted Monaghan’s revelation: “‘You wore a wig every day’ is what did me in.” Many sympathized with Wood’s original predicament, with fans theorizing he was simply “trying to power through” the surreal interrogation. The moment’s endurance underscores early internet culture’s knack for transforming niche content into shared comedy gold, proving some memes truly are timeless.

Wood’s journey from bewildered interviewee to amused meme elder statesman offers a delightful full-circle moment for fans. His willingness to laugh at the viral absurdity—20 years after Dominic Monaghan’s prank birthed the “wigs” phenomenon—showcases the enduring power of shared digital culture. Watch the original clip, share your favorite meme variations, and remember: sometimes, the weirdest moments become the most beloved.

Must Know

Q: What is the “Elijah Wood wigs meme”?
A: It refers to a 2004 interview where Wood, unaware he was being pranked by co-star Dominic Monaghan, awkwardly answered repeated questions about wearing wigs. The clip went viral years later on TikTok and Reddit.

Q: How did the wigs meme originate?
A: During a DVD featurette for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Monaghan disguised his voice and relentlessly asked Wood about wigs. Wood’s confused reactions were included as a DVD Easter egg before spreading online.

Q: Why was Wood so resistant to answering?
A: As Wood explained at C2E2 2025, he sensed something was off (“some sort of ruse”) but didn’t know it was Monaghan. He admits he doesn’t understand why he was so “anti-wig” in the moment.

Q: Where can I see the original clip?
A: The full interview is accessible via the Return of the King Extended Edition DVD special features. Key segments are widely available on YouTube and TikTok.

Q: How did fans react to Wood’s recent comments?
A: Reactions ranged from shock (“HE WAS LYING!?!”) to amusement over Monaghan’s reminder that Wood wore wigs daily during LOTR filming. Many praised Wood for embracing the meme.