Ian McKellen Confirms Return as Gandalf in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum’

by Bruno Pferd February 7, 2026

written by Bruno Pferd February 7, 2026

Key Takeaways

Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark

Ian McKellen is reprising his role as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, set to begin filming in July 2026.
Andy Serkis, who played Gollum in the original trilogy, will direct this new film focusing on Gollums hunt.
Elijah Wood has expressed enthusiasm for the project but has not yet confirmed if he will reprise his role as Frodo.
The film is scheduled for release on December 17, 2027, marking the first live-action Lord of the Rings film since 2014.

Ian McKellen Returns as Gandalf in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum’ (2027)

During an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Ian McKellen announced his return as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. Filming is scheduled to begin in New Zealand in July 2026. McKellen joked that he anticipates spending more time on set than battling the cold, confirming the return of Gandalf’s iconic hat, beard, and costume. McKellen’s mention of a character named Frodo has led to speculation about whether Elijah Wood will reprise his role. Wood has expressed enthusiasm for the project and the return of so many from the original team, though he has not commented on the possibility of his involvement. Adding to the excitement of returning talent, Andy Serkis, who portrayed Gollum in the original trilogy, will direct The Hunt for Gollum, which focuses on the hunt for Gollum, a storyline only briefly explored in J.R.R. Tolkien’s books. The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is slated for release on December 17, 2027, ending a long wait for fans as the first live-action Lord of the Rings film since 2014.

In Case You Missed It

Discover the magical return of Middle Earth as Carlos Mendoza takes you on a journey back in time with his latest post, “Lord of the Rings Returns 25 Years Later” (published January 15th, 2026). Just in time for its quarter-century anniversary, Warner Bros. and Fathom Entertainment are bringing the extended versions of The Lord of the Rings trilogy back to Portuguese cinemas over two weekends this month. With DBOX technology enhancing your viewing experience and limited edition Middle Earth collectibles up for grabs, it’s an event no fan should miss! Dive into Mendoza’s article Lord of the Rings Returns 25 Years Later to learn more about this epic cinematic celebration.

Specification
Official Name	The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum
Brief Summary	A new film based on the novels. Plot TBA.
Released	December 16, 2027
Genre	Fantasy, Adventure, Drama
Production Companies	New Line Cinema, Middle-earth Enterprises, Warner Bros. Pictures, The Imaginarium, WingNut Films
Countries of Origin	US
Actors	Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen
Director	Andy Serkis
Authors	Phoebe Gittins, Fran Walsh, Arty Papageorgiou, Philippa Boyens
Producers	Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson