We’ve got some new details for the curious new The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum spinoff film, which Andy Serkis (who plays Gollum) is directing and starring in himself.
During a “For the Love of Fantasy” convention in London this week, Gandalf actor Sir Ian McKellen let slip new details on the spinoff film – namely that beloved characters Frodo and Gandalf are returning.
McKellen, who is now 86, said both characters are returning in the new spinoff film, though he curiously didn’t confirm if both he and Frodo actor Elijah Wood are reprising their roles.
“I’ll tell you two secrets about the casting,” McKellen said. “There’s a character in the movie called Frodo, and there’s another character called Gandalf. Apart from that, my lips are sealed.”
So far only Andy Serkis has officially been confirmed to reprise his role as the titular creature, Gollum, a central figure in J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels and in Peter Jackson’s film trilogy. McKellen did tease previously that he was officially asked to return as Gandalf, though.
“Enthusiasm for The Lord of the Rings shows no sign of abating,” McKellen said at the time. “I can’t tell you any more than that. I’ve just been told there are going to be more films and Gandalf will be involved and they hope that I’ll be playing him.”
At the time of filming the original film trilogy, McKellen was already in his 60s and Elijah Wood was quite young at a fresh 18 years old.
The film is rumored to also see Aragorn (who pursued Gollum in the original story), though Aragorn actor Viggo Mortensen is likely too old to reprise his role. He was in his 40s during the original trilogy filming and is now 66 years old.
McKellen also revealed that the movie will begin shooting in May of 2026 – further hinting that he and Elijah (who was also at the panel alongside the other main cast members) are cast and will be in the shooting.
Earlier this year Serkis confirmed that The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum was delayed to a 2027 premiere, so the new 2026 production timeline makes sense.
