Elijah Wood looks set to step back into Middle-earth more than two decades after audiences last saw him as Frodo — and he’s clearly keen to return.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is in development at Warner Bros., and it will be the first new LOTR film in 23 years.
The upcoming installment is expected to begin filming this year, with a theatrical release slated for December 2027.
Andy Serkis is taking on directing duties, while also coming back to portray Gollum once again.
He’ll reportedly be joined by other familiar faces too, including Ian McKellen as Gandalf — and Elijah Wood as Frodo.
Speaking about what appears to be his imminent return to Middle-earth, Wood told The Times: “It hasn’t been officially announced, but at a convention last August, Ian sort of let the cat out of the bag.”
He continued: “So there is a good chance. I’m not able to officially say anything until it’s announced, but I will say I’m thrilled with the prospect of another film.”
Wood also shared how positive he feels about the production, describing it as a reunion of sorts: “There is a genuine feeling of getting the band back together.”
During the same interview, he addressed the possibility of another actor taking over as Frodo.
“I certainly wouldn’t want anybody else to play Frodo either as long as I’m alive and able,” the actor shared.
Wood added that he understands why McKellen feels similarly about continuing as Gandalf while he still can.
At this stage, no further casting from the original trilogy has been officially detailed beyond Wood, Serkis, and McKellen.
Although Wood’s involvement hasn’t been formally announced, Oscar-winning actor Kate Winslet reportedly has been confirmed, according to Deadline.
Winslet is said to be playing a new “female lead,” though details about her character are being kept under wraps.
She is expected to travel to New Zealand for production, and previously hinted to Deadline that she’d be outside the country for much of 2026 — without explaining the reason at the time.
Her reported addition to the cast also reignites long-standing talk that she was once considered for a role in the franchise years ago.
It’s believed Winslet was offered the part of Éowyn but passed on it, with Miranda Otto ultimately taking the role.