Original ‘LOTR’ cast supports ‘Rings of Power’ amid racist attacks
Frodo, Sam, Pippin and Merry also know how to fight internet trolls.
Original members of the “Lord of the Rings” film trilogy came to the aid of several “Rings of Power” cast Wednesday after they were targets of racist attacks.
The Shire’s elite four — Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan — have taken to social media to express their support for the Amazon spin-off.
Coming together for the first time since traveling to Mordor, the trio posted a photo of them wearing a fan-made shirt with a human, hobbit and elf ears with different skin tones.
Also included on the shirt is the mantra “You are all welcome here,” written in Elvish.
Astin, who was not in the photo shared a Twitter pic of him wearing a hat with the same legend.
“You Are All Welcome Here,” Wood, 41, captioned the photo.
The show also released a statement regarding the racist attacks.
“We, the cast of Rings of Power, stand together in absolute solidarity and against the relentless racism, threats, harassment and abuse some of our cast mates of color are being subjected to on a daily basis,” the statement reads.
“We refuse to ignore it or tolerate it.”
The statement goes on to say that “Rings” author JRR Tolkien created a world where people from different races and cultures existed, along with the hashtag #youarewelcomehere.
“From Middle-earth to a galaxy far, far away… #YouAreAllWelcomeHere,” the official Star Wars account responded.
“Rings of Power” isn’t the only show to receive racist backlash over cast diversity.
In June, “Kenobi” actress Moses Ingram was also the subject of racist trolls in her role as Reva.
Earlier this month, “House of the Dragon” star Steve Toussaint was told his casting in the “Game of Thrones” spinoff wasn’t true to the book description of Lord Velaryon.
Several celebs including Whoopi Goldberg have spoken out against the backlash.
“All of y’all who have problems because there are black hobbits? Get a job!” the 66-year-old “The View” host said.
“Get a job! Go find yourself, because you are focused on the wrong stuff.”
Read the full article Here