The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum may be bringing back some of the franchise’s most beloved characters, but Orlando Bloom has weighed in on whether he too may be returning. Slated to arrive in theaters in December 2027, original Gollum actor Andy Serkis has been tapped to ᴀssume directorial duties on the new film.

Back in August, Sir Ian McKellan revealed that, in addition to Gollum’s return, both Frodo and Gandalf’s characters would also be making an appearance. Furthermore, speculation has been rife that Aragorn star Viggo Mortensen may also be involved, though the actor has recently remained тιԍнт-lipped on that front.

During a recent appearance on the Today Show, Bloom was asked about the new Lord of the Rings spinoff movie and whether he may be involved. Revealing that he had not heard anything about potentially reprising the role of Legolas, he admitted that anything was still possible. Check out his comments below:

I have not heard a peep, actually. I don’t know. I know it’s focusing on Gollum, so anything’s possible.

Bloom also went on to suggest that while he is fond of his time spent in the role, he would hate it if Legolas’ character was recast for the new movie. Check out his final comments below:

It’s such an amazing part. I’m so grateful to have been a part of those movies. But I haven’t heard.

Listen, I’d hate to see anyone else play Legolas, you know what I mean? What are they going to do? Are they going to put somebody else in as Legolas?

What Orlando Bloom’s Comments Mean For The Hunt For Gollum

While most commentators have ᴀssumed that The Hunt for Gollum’s story will follow J.R.R Tolkien’s original tale from The Lord of the Rings appendices, which sees Aragorn tasked with capturing Gollum following Bilbo’s birthday party in The Fellowship of the Ring, the story’s timing has raised many casting questions.

Given that it will have been 24 years since Peter Jackson’s original Lord of the Rings trilogy concluded by the time The Hunt for Gollum is released, it would naturally suggest that the new spinoff will either need to recast key roles, or rely heavily on digital de-aging technology to bring back the original actors.

Should Serkis decide to recast the franchise’s key roles, Bloom would not be alone in his disappointment. With many fans initially hesitant to accept new actors in the roles of Galadriel and Elrond in Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, any such move could be potentially detrimental to Warner Bros.’s plans to reinvigorate the franchise.

Our Take On Legolas Appearing In The Hunt For Gollum

While Bloom’s character may be absent from The Hunt for Gollum, Tolkien’s original tale does leave a suitable opening for his return. In the original story, it is to Legolas’ father, King Thranduil (played by Lee Pace in The Hobbit trilogy), that Aragorn takes Gollum to be imprisoned following his initial capture.

When Gollum eventually escapes from Mirkwood, it is Legolas who is dispatched to Rivendell to relay the news, ultimately paving the way for his inclusion in the infamous Council of Elrond that sees the Fellowship chosen. As such, Legolas’ inclusion in the new movie would make sense and could prove to be more than just a simple cameo.

Nonetheless, there is still a great deal of mystery surrounding the exact approach that The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum will take, and it is possible that Serkis’ movie could still divert significantly from the original lore.