Elijah Wood Joins Protest Against ICE After Deadly Minneapolis Shooting

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The Sundance Film Festival is known for showcasing unique and independent films, but the 2026 festival was different. Instead of focusing solely on the movies themselves, much of the attention shifted to protests and events happening in Park City.

This weekend, a large crowd of people, including several well-known actors, gathered on Main Street to protest the recent deaths of two people shot by federal agents in Minnesota. Actor Elijah Wood was among those participating, joining a sunset demonstration called ‘Sundancers Melt ICE’.

A demonstration was held to remember Renee Good, a 37-year-old woman killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent on January 7th, and Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse fatally shot by federal agents last Saturday. Videos from the protest showed a large crowd of people raising lit phones and chanting together, expressing their opposition to what they see as a worrying increase in federal law enforcement activity in U.S. cities.

During a recent interview, the Lord of the Rings actor expressed his sadness and worry about the increasing violence. He specifically mentioned the tragic shootings in Minnesota, calling them “awful.” He then pointed out the irony of attending a film festival focused on unity and global storytelling, emphasizing that the event itself represents people coming together rather than being divided.

The actor was among several prominent celebrities who attended the festival to show their support for a particular cause. Natalie Portman, there to promote her new film, told reporters she was deeply disturbed by current events in the country, describing the actions of the federal government and ICE as particularly cruel and inhumane.

“Love melts ICE,” protesters chant at #SundanceFilmFestival (Video: Laura Grier)

— Deadline (@DEADLINE) January 26, 2026

I, like a lot of people here at Sundance, am really disturbed by what happened to Alex Pretti. It’s all over the place because video seems to show him being tackled and then shot while he was clearly helpless on the ground. They’re saying the agents were acting in self-defense, but honestly, nobody’s seen any proof that Pretti even had a weapon. It feels like a really unjust attack on an American citizen, and a lot of us are outraged.

As a long-time Sundance fan, I’ve always appreciated how the festival isn’t just about movies – it’s a place where people come together to talk about important issues. Protests and activism have always been part of the experience, from marches for women’s rights to demonstrations about global events. But this year felt different, and sadly, it was because of something awful that happened. Congressman Maxwell Frost, a really inspiring figure, was attacked at a festival party earlier in the week, and it was clearly a racially motivated assault. It definitely cast a shadow over things, but also seemed to reinforce the festival’s commitment to social justice.

Elijah Wood continues to be a busy and successful actor, even while dedicating time to important causes. In 2026, he’s at the Sundance Film Festival promoting his new documentary series, A Road Map to Happiness, which looks at well-being around the world and features Natalie Portman and Jason Momoa. He’s also generating excitement for his upcoming role in the horror sequel, Ready or Not: Here I Come.

The actor is generating buzz not only for his current projects but also due to speculation about a possible return to the world of The Lord of the Rings. He recently shared his enthusiasm for the upcoming film, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, which will be directed by Andy Serkis and produced by Peter Jackson, with a planned release in late 2027.

Although he hasn’t confirmed he’ll return as Frodo Baggins, his comment about the project being like reuniting a creative team has led to a lot of rumors and excitement.

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2026-01-27 00:44