[My back yard]

Popping rudely into this conversation --

I hope he doesn't try to counter his 'sweet boy next door' image with something awful, like an conflicted axe murderer part, or something. I would hate to see him trying to pull off a role like that to prove his multi-faceted acting abilities or something. He would be better off accepting the image people have of him in his role choices I think.

He is a very talented actor. Who else could have pulled off a pained grimace for over 9 hours and made it look real? Not an easy thing to do.

He should stick to comedy and light-hearted fun for a while. Or something magical and fun. We've seen the grimace. I want to see him smile.

[Fedora]

It definitely gave him an opportunity to demonstrate his acting skills and will open up some doors. I think one of the best things that could happen would be if he lands a role in a "mainstream" drama playing a character who is emotionally similar enough to Frodo to tap into that association but also distinct enough in terms of setting and plot to help avoid typecasting--sort of like Jack Nicholson could build on One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Next by playing other roles with a similar type of character yet not so similar they limited his career, if that's a good analogy.

I'd also concur in hoping he doesn't try to counter his image by doing something conflicted. For some actors that might be a good way to broaden their acting options, but I don't think that would work for Elijah. He has a good image he should build on. Comedy would also be a good idea--if he cameoed in something that made a joking reference to LotR that would also help him build on Frodo's reputation while also establishing his autonomy.