Ian McKellen drops major returning-characters update for The 'Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum'
Ian McKellen, one of the original 'The Lord of the Rings' cast members, dropped some major news on the upcoming spin-off movie, 'The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum'. The prequel, set to be directed by Andy Serkis, saw McKellen make some key reveals.
Speaking during an LOTR event, McKellen shared which original characters would return as he announced that both Gandalf and Frodo would return in 'The Hunt for Gollum' and added that the film will go on floors in May 2026. "It's going to start filming in May. It's going to be directed by Gollum, and it's all about Gollum," he said. "But I'll tell you two secrets about the casting. There's a character in the movie called Frodo and another character called Gandalf, and apart from that, my lips are sealed."
McKellen did not confirm whether Elijah Wood returns as Frodo. Earlier, the actor was keen on making a return. "It would be pretty incredible. I have to say, any return to New Zealand to work with those individuals within the context of that world would be…jumping back into a world that’s so beloved and means so much to me. So yeah, it would be awesome." It's a wait to see if Wood reprises the role.
Philippa Boyens, one of the producers, shed light on the prequel. "The Hunt for Gollum” is “quite an intense story” that “falls after the birthday party of Bilbo and before the Mines of Moria," the screenwriter told Empire. "It’s a specific chunk of an incredible untold story, told through the perspective of this incredible creature.”
"I’m very excited to go back. I leave for New Zealand on Saturday [Sept. 6],” Serkis told Metro in a separate interview. "We’re going down to start prep and working on it, because I’m directing. I’m thrilled to return to the family that I’ve loved working with for many years, and a character that I cannot escape from."
Original “Rings” cast members like Ian McKellen (Gandalf), Orlando Bloom (Legolas), and Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn) have all shown interest in returning for the new film should the story call for their characters to reprise their roles. At the time of writing, no additional casting has been confirmed. Warner Bros. had first announced 'The Hunt for Gollum' in 2024 and originally said it would be ready for release in 2026. It was later delayed to December 2027.
