New Lord of the Rings Movie Announced
Ian McKellen recently hinted at an exciting development regarding an upcoming Lord of the Rings film. At the “Fantasy Love” event in London, the 86-year-old actor mentioned that he and Elijah Wood might reprise their roles in “The Hunt for Gollum,” slated for release in December 2027.
McKellen shared, “There’s another film set in Middle Earth, and we’re set to start filming in May. It’s going to be directed by Gollum, and I’ll let you in on two casting secrets.” He teased the audience, who reacted with cheers and excitement. He added, “There’s a character named Frodo and another named Gandalf,” referring to their on-screen personas.
Joining McKellen at the event was Wood, along with their co-stars Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, and John Rhys-Davies. Although there was plenty of buzz, Wood seemed a bit out of the loop.
The original Gollum, Andy Serkis, is not only directing but also set to star in “The Hunt for Gollum.” Warner Bros. had released information about the film last summer, and Peter Jackson, the mind behind the original trilogy, is collaborating with Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens on future projects.
Boyens mentioned in an October interview with Empire Magazine that “The Hunt for Gollum” features a compelling storyline set just after Bilbo’s birthday party, emphasizing untold stories seen through Gollum’s perspective.
In November 2024, McKellen expressed his eagerness to play Gandalf again. He stated, “I was told there’s more films on the horizon involving Gandalf, and they hope I’ll be on board. As for when that will happen or what the script will look like—well, it’s not ready yet.”
The Lord of the Rings film series, based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, began with “The Fellowship of the Ring” in 2001, followed by “The Two Towers” in 2002 and “The Return of the King” in 2003. The franchise later expanded with “The Hobbit” trilogy, released between 2012 and 2014.
Looking ahead, “Lord of the Rings: The Hunt of Gollum” is set to be released on December 17, 2027.
