Next year, The Lord of the Rings makes its triumphant return to the big screen with The Hunt for Gollum, directed by Andy Serkis and produced by Peter Jackson. The movie will see Ian McKellen reprise his role as Gandalf. All in all, it feels like a true homecoming. And while Elijah Wood (Frodo Baggins) is not confirmed to return, the actor himself doesn't want to see anyone else take on the role he's made his own.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum sits in a unique place in the timeline. It is set between The Hobbit and when Frodo leaves the Shire in The Lord of the Rings. That's a 17-year gap, covering the period when Gandalf sends Aragorn to track Gollum, hoping to stop Gollum from spilling the location of the One Ring to Sauron.
Given this setting, the movie has the chance to bring back our iconic heroes. And while Ian McKellen jumped at the chance to return, other actors are rumored to portray legendary roles. For instance, Leo Woodall is rumoured to be in talks to play Aragorn. As for Elijah Wood, the actor is playing it coy. But if one thing is for sure, he doesn't want to see anyone else as Frodo.
"I certainly wouldn’t want anybody else to play Frodo either as long as I’m alive and able," Wood admitted in a recent interview with The Times. He understands the level of hype that fans would have in seeing beloved stars return to Middle-earth, not least Ian McKellen's Gandalf. "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.”
Unlike McKellen, Wood has mastered the art of remaining quiet; he hasn't officially confirmed his involvement, but he's not denying it either. "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," he said. "It’s always a little nerve-racking when people talk about new movies for a world like Middle-earth. 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.”
At this point we can be quite confident of Elijah Wood's involvement in The Hunt for Gollum. It certainly won't be a shock and a surprise if he does make an appearance.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is set to debut in theatres in December 2027.