At the For Love of Fantasy event in London, Ian McKellen, renowned for his role as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, revealed exciting details about the upcoming film The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.
The 86-year-old actor confirmed that both Gandalf and Frodo will feature in the movie, which centres on Andy Serkis’ character, Gollum, and is set to begin filming in May 2025 for a December 2027 release.
During the panel, McKellen shared, “I hear there’s going to be another movie set in Middle-earth, and it’s going to be directed by Gollum. It’s all about Gollum.” He added, “I’ll tell you two secrets about the casting: there’s a character in the movie called Frodo, and another called Gandalf. Apart from that, my lips are sealed!” While McKellen did not explicitly confirm whether he or Elijah Wood, aged 44, will reprise their iconic roles, his presence alongside Wood at the event sparked speculation among fans.
🚨BREAKING: Sir Ian McKellen confirms that Frodo returns in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum’ movie coming out in 2027 pic.twitter.com/wHqPjbFkKH
— Lotr Universe (@Lordoftheringsu) August 17, 2025Gandalf’s Return Hinted
In a prior BBC interview, McKellen expressed enthusiasm for continuing his role as Gandalf, stating, “I shall just keep at it as long as the legs and the lungs and the mind keep working.” His comments suggest a strong possibility of reprising the beloved wizard in the new film, directed by Serkis, who also stars as Gollum.
Set to explore Gollum’s journey in Middle-earth, The Hunt for Gollum promises to expand the Lord of the Rings universe. The inclusion of Frodo and Gandalf hints at a story bridging familiar characters with new adventures. With a release slated for December 2027, anticipation is building for this next chapter in J.R.R. Tolkien’s iconic world.
