fantastic debates - Movieline

Festivals || BY Jen Yamato || 09 25 2011 10:30 AM

Fantastic Fest: Frodo Loses Epic Nerd Fantasy Boxing Match

A quick update from Austin, where the Fantastic Debates took place at midnight pitting filmmakers, actors, and astrophysicists against each other in spoken debates before pounding it out in the boxing ring: If you were betting on Elijah Wood to reign victorious over Lord of the Rings buddy Dominic Monaghan (or in Hobbit terms, Frodo vs. Merry, who were debating the awesomeness of another fantasy nerd obsession, World of Warcraft), you'd have lost.

Festival Coverage || BY Jen Yamato || 09 22 2011 5:10 PM

VIDEO: Elijah Wood Challenges Dominic Monaghan to Hobbit vs. Hobbit Fight

Fantastic Fest's annual Fantastic Debates pit filmmakers, critics, and celebrities against each other in a two-part battle that begins with a podium debate and ends with the ultimate showdown in the boxing ring. This year's Debates, held Saturday night in Austin, Texas, will get even more fantastic than usual as Elijah Wood and Lord of the Rings pal Dominic Monaghan duke it out with some Hobbit vs. Hobbit fisticuffs. Watch their challenge videos after the jump!