Elijah Wood is officially set to return as Frodo Baggins in a brand-new Lord of the Rings film, as Warner Bros. confirmed major casting details for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum during its CinemaCon presentation in Las Vegas this week.
The highly anticipated film, directed by Andy Serkis, is scheduled for release on December 17, 2027, and will see several familiar faces from the original trilogy stepping back into Middle-earth alongside a host of new additions.
Serkis himself will reprise his iconic role as Gollum/Smeagol, while Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf, marking a significant reunion for fans of the original films.
LA, 2014 - Andy Serkis at the Los Angeles premiere of his movie 'The Hobbit, The Battle of the Five Armies' at the Dolby Theatre, Hollywood
Joining them is Lee Pace, who reprises his role as Thranduil, the Elvenking previously seen in The Hobbit trilogy.
However, the project is not relying solely on nostalgia, with a number of high-profile newcomers confirmed. Kate Winslet will take on the role of a hobbit named Marigol, while Leo Woodall is set to play Halvard, a Dúnedain ranger. Meanwhile, Jamie Dornan has been cast as Strider, the alias later revealed to be Aragorn, a role famously portrayed by Viggo Mortensen in the original films.
Behind the scenes, the project also sees a return of key creative figures from the original films.
Peter Jackson is producing, alongside longtime collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, who co-wrote the original trilogy. They are joined by Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou, who are helping adapt the story from J.R.R. Tolkien’s source material.
Alongside the official announcement, Elijah Wood has also given his most positive indication yet that he will reprise his role as Frodo. The actor, who famously portrayed the hobbit tasked with carrying the One Ring to Mordor, has stopped short of outright confirmation but made it clear he is eager to return to Middle-earth.
Speaking to The Times, Wood said: “It hasn’t been officially announced, but at a convention last August, Ian sort of let the cat out of the bag.” He added: “So there is a good chance. I’m not able to officially say anything until it’s announced, but I will say I’m thrilled with the prospect of another film. It’s always a little nerve-racking when people talk about new movies for a world like Middle-earth.”
Reflecting on fan expectations, he continued: “Everyone gets a little protective and hopes it retains its level of integrity, but this story is fun, thrilling. There is a genuine feeling of getting the band back together.” Wood also said he is “excited” about the project ahead of its 2027 release.
The actor further emphasised his personal connection to the role, adding: “Well, no, and I totally get that. I certainly wouldn’t want anybody else to play Frodo either, as long as I’m alive and able.” He also spoke about the fan experience of seeing returning characters on screen again, saying: “And I can also recognize what fun that is going to be - when you are in the cinema, and you see the hat turn around and it’s Gandalf. Because I’m also a fan, and excited to see how it all comes together.”
2003, LA - Elijah Wood Attends USA premiere of The Lord of the Rings, The Return of the King
His comments echo earlier remarks from Ian McKellen, who had suggested both Gandalf and Frodo would feature in the upcoming film, further fuelling speculation about a wider reunion of original cast members.
The announcement marks another major step in Warner Bros.’ ongoing efforts to revisit Middle-earth, following the release of the animated feature The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim in 2024. At the same time, Amazon Prime Video continues to develop its own take on Tolkien’s universe, with the third season of The Rings of Power currently in production under a separate rights agreement.
The original Lord of the Rings trilogy remains one of the most successful and influential film series in cinema history.
Released between 2001 and 2003, the films collectively grossed nearly $3 billion (€2.7 billion) worldwide and won 17 Academy Awards. The final instalment, The Return of the King, made history at the 2004 Oscars, taking home 11 awards, including Best Picture, tying the record for the most Oscars won by a single film.
