Filming begins in May on “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum,” the first live-action Middle-earth film since “The Hobbit” trilogy ended in 2014.
Andy Serkis will direct and reprise his role of Gollum with multiple people from the original trilogy involved, including writers Philippa Boyens and Fran Walsh and director Peter Jackson in a producing capacity.
While a new actor will play a young Aragorn, Sir Ian McKellen confirmed he’s returning as Gandalf the Grey and seemed to suggest Elijah Wood would be back a Frodo but couldn’t quite officially say it.
Speaking with ScreenRant at Fan Expo New Orleans, Wood also can’t quite say if he’s involved or not, but is very excited for the film:
“I can neither confirm nor deny. Listen, a wizard is to be trusted. Aside from any of that, I’m not really allowed to confirm. I’m really excited about the film. I think it really is a creative ‘getting the band back together.’ A lot of the creative heads of department are back and in that space again. Philippa [Boyens] I think, is co-writing it and producing it. It’s very much that core original group getting back together to tell this story that will feel like a really fun exploration of this character that we all love so much. And I’m just really excited.
I’m excited for Andy [Serkis] to direct it. It feels so unbelievably appropriate that he directs a film about his character that he has really made his own. I’m thrilled. It’ll be great. And I’m excited to see… I know their intention is to make other films in this universe. And that’s exciting, interesting to see where that goes, but very exciting.”
The events of the film reportedly take place between those of Bilbo’s birthday and Frodo leaving the Shire on his quest with the ring, putting the focus on Aragorn and others trying to find Gollum before he’s captured and tortured into revealing the ring’s location (“Shire. Baggins.”)
“The Hunt for Gollum” will open in cinemas on December 17th 2027.
