‘The Hunt for Gollum’: Every New and Returning Actor in the 2027 ‘Lord of the Rings’ Movie & Who They’re Playing

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The upcoming film, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, has announced its cast. It will feature actors returning from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, alongside some new faces, and one role will be played by a different actor than before. Announced in May 2024, this film tells a story that takes place during the events of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.

Andy Serkis, known for his performance as Gollum in the original movies, is directing a new film focusing on the character. The script is being written by Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, who previously worked on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, along with Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou. The movie is scheduled to be released on December 17, 2027, with Peter Jackson as a producer. Warner Bros. recently announced the cast at CinemaCon on April 14, 2026, revealing both returning actors and new characters for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.

Andy Serkis as Gollum

It’s not surprising Andy Serkis will return as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, as the character is central to the story. He’s also directing the film, marking his fourth time in the director’s chair following Mowgli: The Jungle Book, Venom: The Last Dance, and Animal Farm. Beyond Gollum, Serkis is famous for his motion capture work as King Kong, Supreme Leader Snoke in the Star Wars sequels, and Caesar in the Planet of the Apes trilogy. He’s also appeared in films like The Prestige, Black Panther, and The Batman without using motion capture.

Ian McKellen as Gandalf

Ian McKellen, famous for playing Magneto, will once again portray Gandalf in the upcoming film, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. A highly respected Shakespearean actor with a Tony, a Golden Globe, and six Laurence Olivier Awards, McKellen played Gandalf in all six Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies. This makes him the only actor to appear in every live-action film based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth stories.

Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins

Elijah Wood is returning to the world of Middle-earth as Frodo Baggins. He famously played the character in The Lord of the Rings trilogy and made a brief appearance in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey in 2012. The Hunt for Gollum marks the first time in 15 years he’ll be reprising the role. Beyond The Lord of the Rings, Wood has had a successful career, appearing in films like Sin City, Happy Feet, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and recently Ready or Not: Here I Come. He also starred in the television series Wilfred. Since The Hunt for Gollum takes place between Bilbo’s birthday and the start of Frodo’s main quest, it’s unclear how significant Wood’s role will be – it could be a larger part of the story or just a quick cameo.

Jamie Dornan as Aragorn

Andy Serkis, Ian McKellen, and Elijah Wood are returning to their roles from the Lord of the Rings movies, but Viggo Mortensen won’t be back as Aragorn, also known as Strider. Jamie Dornan, famous for playing Christian Grey in the 50 Shades of Grey films, will take on the role. Dornan previously played a comparable character—the Huntsman from Snow White and Sheriff Graham Hubert—in ABC’s Once Upon a Time.

Leo Woodall as Halvard

I was really surprised to learn that Leo Woodall, who I thought had a shot at playing Aragorn/Strider, is actually joining the cast as a brand new character called Halvard. Apparently, he’s going to be another one of the Dúnedain, alongside Jamie Dornan’s Aragorn. I first really noticed him in Season 2 of The White Lotus – he was fantastic – and then again in the Netflix series One Day. He’s also been in a couple of films, like Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy and Nuremberg, so he’s building up a pretty interesting resume.

Kate Winslet as Marigol

Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet is joining the cast of the Lord of the Rings series as a new character named Marigol. Though the name Marigold appears in Tolkien’s world, Marigol is a completely original creation. Fans are buzzing with theories, with some suggesting she might play Smeagol’s grandmother, a character mentioned but never named in The Lord of the Rings. While nothing is confirmed, Marigol remains a significant mystery. Winslet is a fantastic addition to the cast, bringing a wealth of experience from her roles in films like Titanic, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Avatar: The Way of Water, and Fire and Ash, as well as her previous work with director Peter Jackson on Heavenly Creatures.

Lee Pace as Thranduil

Lee Pace, known for playing Thranduil, will return to the role in The Hunt for Gollum. His character was developed further in The Hobbit trilogy, building on material from J.R.R. Tolkien’s writings, and that development will likely continue in the new film. Pace has recently been seen in The Running Man and lent his voice to Invincible. He’s also well-known for his work in Guardians of the Galaxy, Bodies Bodies Bodies, and the popular series Pushing Daisies.

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2026-04-19 19:21