December marks 24 years since The Fellowship of the Ring first hit theaters and transformed its cast into instant fantasy heartthrobs. From Orlando Bloom’s elven archer Legolas to Dominic Monaghan’s mischievous Merry and Billy Boyd’s lovable Pippin, these actors carved out a place in our imaginations — and, let’s be honest, in our fantasies.
Over the weekend, Dominic Monaghan gave fans a gift that would make even Galadriel blush. He posted a throwback photo of himself, Bloom, and Boyd — shirtless, in bed, all tangled up — with the caption:
“Longgggg nighttssss in sydneyyyy with the boys. So tired we missed the first act of Madame Butterfly at the Sydney Opera House. Shameful.”
The post sent queer internet into overdrive. Comments poured in from fans admitting they’d had this exact fantasy before, to others begging to know why this scene wasn’t slipped into the extended edition of the films. And of course, the age-old question surfaced: “Who’s the bottom?”
Meme warriors wasted no time. One fan paired the photo with Frodo drooling, another with Merry smoking, and more than a few reminded us that whatever happens in Lothlórien stays in Lothlórien. Others joked about jealousy from the rest of the hobbits.
Whether you see it as fan service or fantasy fulfillment, the consensus is clear: the gays are here for the 18-and-over edition of Lord of the Rings. And yes, we’d gladly pay the premium.
For anyone who somehow missed the magic, the full trilogy, theatrical and extended cuts, is streaming now on HBO Max.
