Sir Ian McKellen has confirmed that both Gandalf and Frodo will appear in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, directed by Andy Serkis. The comments were made at a fan event in London, where McKellen appeared on stage with fellow Lord of the Rings cast members including Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan.
Gandalf and Frodo Return
Speaking to the crowd (watch below) at the For The Love Of Fantasy event, McKellen teased that characters named “Frodo” and “Gandalf” are in the new film.
“There’s a character in the movie called Frodo, and there’s a character in the movie called Gandalf,” he said, before joking, “Apart from that, my lips are sealed.”
McKellen didn’t confirm if he or Elijah Wood are reprising their roles, but he has previously said he hoped to play Gandalf again. Last year, he noted he had been told Gandalf would appear in upcoming films and that producers hoped he would return.
@gronkcosplay HUGE hunt for Gollum casting announcement #huntforgollum #ianmckellen #castingannouncement #lotr #breakingnews ♬ original sound – Gronk Cosplay
Filming Starts May 2026
McKellen also revealed that filming for The Hunt for Gollum will begin in May. Warner Bros. has already announced a theatrical release for December 17, 2027. The film is the first of two new Lord of the Rings entries being developed with Serkis directing and starring as Gollum.
McKellen is also confirmed back as Magneto for Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday, which is filming in the UK.
Peter Jackson Producing
As reported earlier, original trilogy director Peter Jackson, along with Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, is producing the project. Warner Bros. said the trio “will be involved every step of the way.” Boyens confirmed the story is set between Bilbo’s birthday party and the Mines of Moria, and will focus on Gollum’s perspective.
This will mark the first live-action Lord of the Rings movie since 2014’s The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies. It follows the 2024 animated feature The War of the Rohirrim.
Unrelated, Prime Video’s Rings of Power Season 3 is also in the works.
