Elijah Wood Teases Big News About Upcoming ‘The Lord of the Rings’ Movie

Elijah Wood has shared some exciting details about the next big Lord of the Rings project, giving fans a first glimpse at what’s to come.

Speaking at this year’s DesertCon, Wood discussed the upcoming film The Hunt for Gollum and revealed just how involved the original creative team will be.

“I know a great deal about it. I’ve read it. It’s really good,” Wood said.

“There’s some wonderful people involved. The thing that is so exciting is, it’s really getting the creative band back together … the kind of creative brain trust behind Lord of the Rings: Fran [Walsh], Peter [Jackson], Philippa [Boyens], they’re heavily involved. And then, the same production designers. It’s going to be shot in New Zealand.”

“So, it’s going to carry with it such continuity with so many of the people who are a part of Lord of the Rings, and I’m really excited about that. It feels like getting that old machine up and running again with all of the right people. So I’m really excited. There’s gonna be some fun bits that I think people are gonna be stoked about.” He said.

The new films follow a deal signed between Warner Bros., New Line, and Middle-earth Enterprises after it was acquired by Embracer Group.

Two live-action projects are currently in development, with Jackson, Walsh, and Boyens producing. The first film, currently titled The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, will be directed by Andy Serkis and has a screenplay written by Walsh, Boyens, Callum Gittins, and Panagiotis Papageorgiou.

Philippa Boyens shared additional insight into the projects in October 2024. “We’ve begun to work, conceptually, on two different live-action films. The first being The Hunt For Gollum, the second one still to be confirmed,” she said. She also revealed that both projects would include the character of Gandalf.

Filming is set to begin in 2026, with Wellington, New Zealand, serving as the production hub, according to RNZ. Several actors from the original trilogy are reportedly open to returning. Sir Ian McKellen confirmed in June 2024 that he would consider reprising his role as Gandalf, while at a fan event in August, both McKellen and Wood hinted at the return of classic characters such as Frodo and Gandalf, though they did not specify which actors would return.

The Hunt for Gollum is currently scheduled for release on 17 December 2027. With much of the original team reunited, fans can expect the film to feel familiar while exploring new corners of Middle-earth.

It’s clear from Wood’s comments that the team is aiming to recapture the magic of the original films while offering fresh stories for both longtime fans and new audiences. The combination of familiar creative forces and new talent promises to make this a must-watch event in the Lord of the Rings universe.

What do you think about the return of Middle-earth on the big screen? Are you excited to see familiar faces like Gandalf and Frodo again? Share your thoughts in the comments.