‘Lord Of The Rings’ fans have been waiting years for a reason to head back to the Shire, and now they finally have it. Sure, the Amazon series, ‘The Rings of Power,’ gave a peek into the Second Age of Middle-earth, but the big-screen magic is what ignites the passion of Tolkien enthusiasts. Sir Ian McKellen gave a rare update that set the stage for one of the biggest reunions in fantasy cinema.
Speaking at a convention in London, the 86-year-old actor decided to reveal just enough about the upcoming ‘Lord of the Rings: The Hunt For Gollum‘ film to keep fans hooked. And what he shared puts two of the franchise’s most famous heroes back in the story.
Ian McKellen’s Big ‘Lord Of The Rings: The Hunt For Gollum’ Reveal
The new film, ‘The Hunt for Gollum,’ is already a headline-maker. It’s the first live-action return to Tolkien’s world since the not-so-memorable ‘The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies‘ in 2014. This time, Andy Serkis is calling the shots as director, while Peter Jackson takes a step back into a producer role. That alone made the project worth keeping an eye on.
Related: ‘The Lord Of The Rings’: What Happened In Middle-Earth After The War Of The Ring?
But McKellen gave fans the update they really wanted. He revealed that Gandalf will once again be part of the story, and he won’t be alone. “I’ll tell you two secrets about the casting: There’s a character in the movie called Frodo, and there’s another character called Gandalf,” the acting legend revealed.
Frodo Baggins is finally returning, which means Elijah Wood is back as well. It’s the reunion we all secretly hoped for. Gandalf and Frodo formed the soul of the original trilogy, and having them return instantly connects the new film to the heart of Middle-earth.
What Will Happen Next In ‘The Lord Of The Rings’?
Now comes the fun part, figuring out where they fit in. Gollum’s journey stretches well beyond Frodo’s timeline, which means the writers have room to play. Frodo could show up as a narrator, or maybe in a new sequence that ties his story more closely to Gollum’s. Whatever the approach, the film is going back to its roots.
Both stars have been open about their love for Middle-earth. Wood has said many times that he’d jump at the chance to return, and McKellen has often joked that he’d play Gandalf again “if I’m alive.” True to his word, the wizard’s hat and staff are coming back.
In case you missed it: The Unbelievable Reason ‘The Lord Of The Rings’ Books Were Banned
Now that the filming of the next ‘Lord Of The Rings’ movie is set to start in May and a release date has already been set for December 2027, ‘The Hunt for Gollum‘ is going to be an actual big-screen event. Bringing back Frodo and Gandalf is like a sign that Middle-earth is ready to welcome us home again.
