Summary
A belovedLord of the Ringsstar is keen to reprise their role in the newly announcedThe Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, though there’s a significant condition attached.
The Hunt for Gollum, headlined by Andy Serkis, who is returning to settle old scores with the cunning creature, is the first in a series of newLord of the Ringsprojects set to be released by Warner Bros in the upcoming decade. This exciting development offers lifelong fans of Professor Tolkien’s rich mythology the honor and privilege of returning to Middle-earth with their beloved friends and characters. Amidst rampant speculation, a key actor from Peter Jackson’s acclaimed J. R. R. Tolkien adaptations recently addressed rumors in an interview about potentially appearing in the upcoming film focused on Serkis’s Gollum.
Speaking in an interview withThe Times, Ian McKellen, who famously portrayed the wise, vigilant, and probablythe strongest LOTR wizardGandalf in bothThe Lord of the RingsandThe Hobbittrilogies, discussed the possibility of returning to the franchise after many years. McKellen mentioned that he has heard rumors about Gandalf’s return in future films but clarified that “there is no script, there is no offer, there is no plan.” At 85 years old, McKellen noted that his decision to reprise the role hinges on one factor: his continued existence. When asked if he would be interested in playing Gandalf again, he simply responded, “If I’m alive.”
FollowingWarner Bros' recent announcement of new LOTR projects, includingThe Hunt for Gollum, fans have been abuzz with speculation about Gandalf’s potential return, a notion further fueled by Ian McKellen’s cryptic remarks hinting at “stirrings in Tolkien land.” Currently captivating audiences as Falstaff inPlayer Kingsat the Noël Coward Theatre, McKellen shared introspective thoughts on aging during the interview. He mused on the contemplative moments that come with his advancing years, pondering whether each new role could potentially be his last. “If you want to know that you are mortal, you just have to look at your address book. And so, when a script comes through, or the hint of an offer, you think, ‘This might be my last job. No. I’m not doing that.’” At 85, McKellen last graced the screen as Gandalf in 2014’sThe Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, making it almost a decade since he donned the iconic wizard’s hat and robe.
As fans speculate aboutwhich characters should joinThe Hunt For Gollum, the 85-year-old McKellen isn’t the only star considering a comeback to the franchise. Viggo Mortensen, known for hisimpressive role as Aragorn in theLord of the Ringstrilogy, has also expressed interest in reprising his role inThe Hunt for Gollum. However, Mortensen acknowledged the challenge of portraying Aragorn two decades later and emphasized the need for a compelling reason to revisit the role, as the script would need to justify his older age compared to his previous appearances. While details onThe Hunt for Gollumremain scarce, the film is set to delve deeper into Andy Serkis' iconic character, now with Serkis taking on the director’s role in the project. Peter Jackson has hinted that the movie aims to explore aspects of Middle-earth he didn’t cover in his originalThe Lord of the Ringstrilogy.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollumis not expected to be released before 2026, with early script development currently in progress.
