Ian McKellen Confirms That 2 Original Lord Of The Rings Characters Are Returning In Hunt For Gollum

Ian McKellen has seemingly confirmed that two central original Lord of the Rings characters are returning in the upcoming movie, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. The upcoming film will be directed by Andy Serkis (who also reprises his role as Gollum), produced by Peter Jackson, and will follow the stories from J.R.R. Tolkien’s appendices.

Not much is confirmed about The Hunt For Gollum‘s plot, but it will likely focus on the race against time to find the тιтular character before Sauron can exploit Gollum’s knowledge of the One Ring. Serkis previously stated production is slated to begin around mid-2026 in New Zealand, and The Hunt For Gollum is scheduled to be released on Dec. 17, 2027.

Recently, at London’s For the Love of Fantasy convention, Sir Ian McKellen, who plays Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings movies, dropped a bombshell about the upcoming film. In a panel, which included Elijah Wood and Sean Astin, McKellen talked about The Hunt for Gollum, teasing the return of Frodo and Gandalf. Check out his comment below:

I hear there’s going to be another movie based 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. But I’ll tell you two secrets about the casting. There’s a character in the movie called Frodo, and there’s a character in the movie called Gandalf. Apart from that, my lips are sealed!

What Ian McKellen’s Comments Mean For The Hunt For Gollum

Gollum looking creepily delighted in The Lord of the Rings Return of the King

McKellen didn’t explicitly confirm whether he and Wood would reprise their respective roles as Frodo and Gandalf in The Hunt for Gollum. However, previously, McKellen has expressed interest in returning as Gandalf, and with this announcement being delivered in the presence of Wood and other original cast members, it does seem that this might be the case.

It’s possible that McKellen’s involvement in The Hunt For Gollum may simply refer to flashbacks of Frodo and Gandalf from Fellowship of the Ring. Gandalf tells Frodo that they searched everywhere for Gollum before the enemy found him first, and this could be revisited in Serkis’ movie. However, McKellen’s announcement hints at something much bigger than that.

Therefore, this new development does lead to questions about just when The Hunt for Gollum will be set in The Lord of the Rings’ overall timeline. If Frodo and Gandalf are featured in a more involved capacity, it could mean that the upcoming film will essentially bridge the gap between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogies.

Our Take On Frodo & Gandalf’s Return

Frodo and Gandalf sitting on a bench in Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

The fact that McKellen was the one to deliver the news at a rare convention appearance means that Frodo and Gandalf’s return is certainly a significant development for the film. McKellen’s ambiguity creates just the right blend of anticipation and speculation, enough to stoke excitement with fans without locking the filmmakers into anything too specific too early.

Interestingly, it’s actually Gandalf and Aragorn on the hunt for Gollum in Tolkien’s story, so Viggo Mortensen’s silence and Frodo’s inclusion are somewhat intriguing. Regardless, I’m really excited to see Wood and McKellen return as their iconic characters, and with Serkis and Peter Jackson on board, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is only getting more exciting.