‘The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum’ Sets Cast: Ian McKellen and Elijah Wood Officially Return, Plus Jamie Dornan as Aragorn and More

Middle-Earth came to Las Vegas as part of Warner Bros.’ CinemaCon presentation Tuesday. The studio revealed several cast members for the upcoming “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum,” directed by Andy Serkis. It’s set to release in theaters on Dec. 17, 2027.

via: THR

In addition to helming the film, Serkis stars as Gollum/Smeagol, Ian McKellen is back as Gandalf, Elijah Wood returns as Frodo Baggins and Lee Pace reprises his role as Thranduil. Newcomers to the “Lord of the Rings” series include Kate Winslet as Marigol, Leo Woodall as Halvard, and Jamie Dornan as Strider, the chief of the Northern Dúnedain Rangers and also known to fans as Aragorn.

He steps into the shoes of Viggo Mortensen from the original Lord of the Rings trilogy.

“Across two trilogies, a mark of a Middle-earth film, has always been the formidable array of talent brought to bear in every role. The Hunt for Gollum continues in that tradition, and I am delighted to announce the return of two of Middle-earth’s most beloved performers, alongside some exceptionally talented new additions to Tolkien’s world,” said Serkis in a statement.

The Hunt for Gollum takes place between The Hobbit trilogy and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, with Aragorn and Gandalf searching for Gollum to learn more information about Bilbo’s ring — which turns out to be the One Ring that threatens all of Middle-earth during the events of Lord of the Rings.

It’s not the only Lord of the Rings movie on the horizon either, as Stephen Colbert is writing a second film alongside Philippa Boyens and Peter McGee, under the working title The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past. That movie will come after Hunt for Gollum and does not yet have a director attached.

CinemaCon, the annual gathering of cinema owners and Hollywood studios, is hosted in Las Vegas by Cinema United, formerly known as the National Association of Theatre Owners. This year’s edition runs April 13-16.

Leo Woodall will play Halvard, another of the Dúnedain, who is joining Strider on the dangerous hunt.