Elijah Wood has stirred excitement among fans by hinting at the possibility of reprising his iconic role as Frodo in the upcoming Lord of the Rings film, The Hunt for Gollum. The movie is scheduled for release on December 17, 2027, and focuses on a pivotal story set in Middle-earth, continuing the beloved fantasy saga.
Elijah Wood’s Ambiguous Confirmation and Enthusiasm for the Project
In an interview with ScreenRant, Elijah Wood neither confirmed nor denied his involvement but expressed enthusiasm about the film’s creation. He described the project as a reunion of key creative talents behind the original trilogy.
“I can neither confirm nor deny,”
said Wood.
“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,”
he added.
Wood also showed his support for Andy Serkis, who returns not only as the character Gollum but also as the film’s director. Wood remarked,
“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.”
Ian McKellen Reveals Key Characters and Filming Details
While Wood remains reserved regarding his own role, co-star Ian McKellen revealed some important information during a fan event. He mentioned the film’s focus and confirmed that both Frodo and Gandalf will appear.
“I hear there’s going to be another movie set in Middle-earth, and it’s going to start filming in May. It’s going to be directed by Gollum and it’s all about Gollum,”
McKellen stated.
“I’ll tell you two secrets about the casting: there’s a character in the movie called Frodo, and there’s another character called Gandalf. Apart from that, my lips are sealed!”
Philippa Boyens Highlights the Story’s Place in Middle-earth History
Philippa Boyens, who co-wrote the screenplays for both the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, offered insights about the narrative scope of The Hunt for Gollum in a conversation with Empire Magazine. She described the story as an intense and previously untold chapter situated between Bilbo’s birthday party and the Mines of Moria. Boyens explained,
“It’s quite an intense story, which falls after the birthday party of Bilbo and before the Mines of Moria. It’s a specific chunk of incredible untold story, told through the perspective of this incredible creature.”
Andy Serkis Prepares to Direct and Reprise His Role
Andy Serkis, renowned for his portrayal of Gollum and now directing the project, confirmed that production is soon to begin. Speaking to Metro, he shared his excitement about returning to this creative family and character.
“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,”
Serkis said with a mix of humor and passion.
Significance and Anticipation for The Hunt for Gollum
The Hunt for Gollum represents a chance to revisit the rich world of Middle-earth through a fresh perspective, focusing on one of the saga’s most enigmatic characters. By reuniting the original creative team, including Philippa Boyens and Andy Serkis, the film promises to offer fans a compelling continuation that honors the legacy of the previous films. Elijah Wood’s cautious comments keep fans intrigued about Frodo’s potential return, while Ian McKellen’s hints ensure key figures will play prominent roles.
This film is expected to deepen the mythology of Middle-earth and potentially launch further stories within this universe, adding layers to the existing lore. With production gearing up in New Zealand, fans will have to wait until late 2027 to see how this exploration of Gollum’s hunt—and possibly Frodo’s involvement—unfolds on the big screen.
