Hugo Weavingis the latest actor to address a potential return to Middle Earth in the upcomingLord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. Although the originalLord of the Ringstrilogy wrapped up in 2003 andTheHobbittrilogy followed a decade later, Warner Bros. Discovery is surprising many by pushing forward with a new wave of projects based on the Tolkien fantasy. While Amazon is forging ahead with The Rings of Power, there are several new movies coming for fans of the franchise, starting with December’s animatedTheWar of the Rohirrimmovie hitting theaters, and the Andy Serkis-directedThe Hunt for Gollum.
Although the new live-action movie takes place in the same era asThe Fellowship of the Ring,original Elrond actor Weaving, who did reprise his role inThe Hobbit, shut down the idea that he could be coming back again this time around. In aninterview with GamesRadar, Weaving said:
“Personally, I’ve had enough of that. It was great being in New Zealand on and off over a ten year period. I did then go back and work with the same team [director Peter Jackson and writer Fran Walsh] on a project called Mortal Engines which was going to be their next big franchise, but it died on its arse. So, I’ve had enough of Middle-earth I don’t imagine anyone would ask me to do it again.”
While Weaving clearly has no aspirations to mix with hobbits and wizards again, otherLOTRactors have already jumped at the chance. With Serkis speakingpositively about AI, we shouldn’t close the door on anybody returning, even if it’s been 10 years since they last dipped into Tolkien’s world.
Ian McKellen is Ready To Conjure Up a Return as Gandalf
Nobody tell McKellen he’s 85 years old because he hasalready expressed interestin slipping back into the gray robes of Gandalf and joining Serkis inThe Hunt for Gollum. Speaking toThe Big Issue, the actor revealed the studio wants to see him in the role again.
“Enthusiasm for The Lord of the Rings shows no sign of abating … I can’t tell you any more than that. I’ve just been told there are going to be more films and Gandalf will be involved, and they hope that I’ll be playing him. When? I don’t know. What the script is? It’s not written yet. So, they better be quick.”
Andy Serkis Teases Return of LOTR Characters, Potential Title Change for The Hunt for Gollum
Andy Serkis teases returning LotR characters in The Hunt for Gollum, and says the film could change its name.
McKellen came back forThe Hobbitfilms even though they were filmed 10 years afterLOTRand acted as a prequel. This was before de-aging technology was as advanced as it has become in recent years, so he looked noticeably older, but it worked out just fine. It’s too soon to know for certain who will be returning for Serkis' film, but fans would certainly be happy to see the old cast back together again if it could possibly work.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
