At 86 years old, Ian McKellen is still actively filming major movies like Avengers: Doomsday and, soon, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. Fans of the Lord of the Rings are curious about what role his character, the Grey Wizard, will have in the new film, and McKellen has offered a small hint about his part in this next chapter of the fantasy story.
In a recent, lengthy interview with The Times, McKellen discussed a wide range of topics. The conversation inevitably turned to The Hunt for Gollum, and when it did, McKellen stated firmly, “I won’t let anyone else play Gandalf.” He then went on to share more details about the film.
I can’t reveal details just yet, but the script is geared towards fans of Lord of the Rings. Think of it as an adventure where a character similar to Aragorn is searching for someone like Gollum, with a figure like Gandalf offering guidance.
Sir Ian McKellen initially revealed he was reviewing the script for ‘The Hunt for Gollum,’ but has been more discreet about details since then. Filming is scheduled to start in New Zealand in July, and the movie is expected to be released in December 2027.
‘The Hunt for Gollum’ Is Going to Be Focused on Tolkien’s Most Complex Character
New Line Cinema
Smeagol, better known as Gollum, is one of the most memorable characters in Tolkien’s Middle-earth. Appearing in both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, he’s a complex figure who often shifts between being a villain and someone you almost feel sorry for. Much of this is thanks to Andy Serkis’s amazing performance in Peter Jackson’s films, and he’s returning to play Gollum – and even direct a new film, The Hunt for Gollum.
Rumors suggest ‘The Hunt for Gollum’ will explore Smeagol’s life before he became Gollum, showing events hinted at in ‘The Return of the King’. The film will likely bridge the gap between Bilbo’s birthday party and Gollum’s capture by Sauron in ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’. A key part of the story will involve Gandalf leaving the Shire and seeking out Aragorn (then known as Strider) to find the former hobbit and confirm whether Bilbo left the One Ring behind before going to Rivendell.
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We’re still a ways off from seeing any trailers or pictures from “The Hunt for Gollum.” The next major update will probably be about who will replace Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn. While stars like Elijah Wood are confirmed to return, Mortensen may be too old to convincingly reprise the role, so finding a new actor will be a challenge.
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2026-02-16 02:04