"Lord of the Rings" fans will have to wait until December's final installment to find out what happens to Samwise Gamgee, the hobbit played by Sean Astin. But in real life, the 31-year-old actor has already plotted his next steps.

Astin has spent time behind the camera making two short films and directing an episode of the vampire TV series "Angel," and he hopes to delve even further into that side of the business. "I optioned a book called 'Issac's Storm' by Erik Larson," he revealed recently.

"It's a story about the Galveston, Texas, storm in 1900," he explained. "September 8, 1900, there was a huge storm that killed over 6,000 people. It's the biggest natural disaster ever in the history of the United States. And I want to re-create that storm onscreen, and I want to tell a love story set against that backdrop.

"I've always loved those sweeping, epic kind of movies," he continued. "That's why I wanted to be in 'Lord of the Rings.' I wanted to be a part of something that was big. And it's exceeded my wildest expectation and imagination. And now I'm just looking to find out what the next thing might be."

"The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" and "The Two Towers" not only thrust the "Goonies" actor back into the Hollywood spotlight, it forged friendships between Astin and his co-stars that stretch beyond the confines of the screen. The impending arrival of "The Return of the King" has put the California native in a reflective mood.

"It's starting to dawn on me that we're in kind of the high point of the journey," he admitted. "And that it will in fact [end]. As [Gen. George S.] Patton said, 'All glory is fleeting.' "

"I am absolutely proud, I'm grateful [to have been a part of 'The Lord of the Rings']," he added. "We're on this big, long journey. We signed on three years ago, and we know we have another year, year and a half left to get the last one finished and promoted and out there. Then it will be over. ... I mean, I guess on some level I hope that it doesn't ever end. I hope I get to keep seeing the guys throughout the years. And hopefully everybody's careers will continue to blossom and grow and there will be life after 'The Lord of the Rings.' "

—Ryan J. Downey, with additional reporting by Nick Zano