Elijah Wood swooped in at the eleventh hour to take on the role of Ted Hammerman in the film adaptation of Stephen King's short story, *The Monkey*. This was a surprising twist not just in casting but in the character’s trajectory as well. Originally, another actor was slated to play Ted, a self-help author with questionable ethics known for mixing parenting advice with toxic charisma. However, when the initial actor was no longer able to commit, Wood, found to be in town for Comic-Con, was brought in on a tight schedule.
The movie, directed by Osgood Perkins, centers around twin brothers Hal and Bill Shelburn, played by Theo James, whose lives spiral into chaos after they stumble upon a cursed toy monkey known for inducing random and violent fates. For the uninitiated, the story is known for its blend of horror with an edge of dark comedy, a combination that Perkins was keen to preserve in his adaptation.
Unconventional Production Challenges
Elijah Wood's entry to the cast just days before filming began brought about a flurry of activity. The production team had to quickly adjust to the new casting by creating promotional content. This included fast-tracking book covers and marketing materials featuring Wood’s likeness. You'd think they'd been preparing for years, with face scans and printed materials ready in what felt like a blink of an eye. Colin O’Brien, who plays Ted’s stepson, Petey, marveled at Wood’s ability to deliver a stunning performance on such short notice, calling it 'ridiculously good' in spite of the tight timeframe.
A Surprise Box Office Hit
Despite its hectic production start, *The Monkey* wasn’t just thrown onto screens without polish. The film hit theaters under the release banner of Neon on February 21, 2025, and struck a chord with audiences and critics. It grossed an impressive $63.5 million, which is especially notable given its modest budget ranging from $10–11 million. This financial success mirrored its creative triumph as well.
The movie subverts many of the traditional tropes found in horror films concerning haunted toys. In a cunning twist, Wood’s character, Ted, who many assumed would meet an expected grisly end due to his malevolent tendencies, survives, upending audience assumptions. The film’s unconventional approach to storytelling, combined with its fearless disregard for typical horror and comedy boundaries, has earned it a special place in the hearts of horror enthusiasts and skeptics alike.
Elijah Wood's performance, despite the backstory of its hurried inception, appears seamless and organic—reinforcing why he remains an enduring figure in both genre-defying roles and classic cinematic tales.
