LOTRO Players Unite For In-Game Tribute To Ian Holm

Veteran actor, Ian Holm, sadly passed away last week, and the internet is still reeling from the loss. Holm is perhaps best known for his role as Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy, and so it’s only fitting that his LOTR fans paid tribute in the best way they knew how: in a social distancing-friendly, virtual tribute within MMORPG, Lord of the Rings Online.

Credit: New Line Cinema

As shared to Reddit by Ch_Mell, hundreds of LOTRO players joined together to march to Rivendell in honour of Holm, mimicking Bilbo’s last journey through Middle Earth as he passed to the Gray Havens.

Sharing the following post, Ch_Mell added: “A mini played the soundtrack ‘Misty Mountains’ the whole time… I really love the community of this game: 300 people gathered and walked to Rivendell on a moment’s notice. RIP Ian, may your soul be free.”

Paying homage to Ian Holm (Bilbo Baggins) – forever in our childhood memories… r.i.p. from r/lotro

Honestly, I can’t think of a more wonderful or heartwarming tribute to Ian Holm. Kudos to the people who made this happen, and to all those who got involved.

In a tribute to Ian Holm, Peter Jackson took to Facebook to share his feelings on the sad passing of the actor. He wrote: “Back in early 2000, before we started shooting our Bilbo scenes for The Fellowship of the Ring, I was nervous about working with such an esteemed actor, but he immediately put me at ease. Standing in Bag End on the first day, before cameras started rolling, he took me to one side and said that he would be trying different things in every take, but I shouldn’t be alarmed. If, after five or six takes, he hadn’t given me what I needed, then by all means I should give him specific direction…

Credit: Reddit/Ch_Mell/New Line Cinema

“Watching Ian Holm perform taught me so much – as Ian was being his usual quiet self, that just somehow happened. It was a privilege to work with him, and a blessing to know him.

“I’ve always loved Ian’s performance in the final scenes of Return of the King. ‘I think I’m quite ready for another adventure.’ Farewell, dear Bilbo. Safe travels, darling Ian.”

If you haven’t played Lord of the Rings Online before, I highly recommend you do. You can download it here for both PC and Mac.

Featured Image Credit: Reddit/Ch_Mell/New Line Cinema