Andy Serkis’ The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum seems to be turning into more of a reunion for the cast and crew from Peter Jackson’s famous trilogy than people expected.
So far, Serkis (Gollum) is the only actor confirmed to return, but it looks likely that Sir Ian McKellen (Gandalf) and Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn) will be back too, and Orlando Bloom (Legolas) has said he might appear. Now, Elijah Wood has given a strong hint that he’ll return as Frodo Baggins. During an appearance at Mexico’s DesertCon over the weekend (via CBR), Wood said:
Well, I can’t say anything about that. I know a great deal about it. I’ve read it. It’s really good. There are some wonderful people involved. The thing that is so exciting is that it is really getting the creative band back together. The brain trust behind Lord of the Rings, Fran, Peter, Philippa, they are heavily involved. And then, the same production designers. It is going to be shot in New Zealand. So, it is going to carry with it such continuity with so many people who are a part of Lord of the Rings, and I am really excited about that. It feels like getting that old machine up and running again with all of the right people.
he went on
It’s unclear if Wood revealed more than he planned to, but since he has read the script, it’s very possible he’s part of the project. Maybe he was sent the screenplay just to see if he was interested, but it seems likely Frodo will appear in the movie, even if only briefly. It’s unknown how the actors will be made to look younger, though Serkis has hinted that AI could be used.
This story takes place during a time mentioned in both Tolkien’s books and Jackson’s films, when Gandalf and Aragorn are hunting for Gollum before Sauron finds him. In the movies, Gandalf says he “searched everywhere for the creature Gollum,” but “the Dark Lord found him first.” In the books, Aragorn explains that he did catch Smeagol (“he bit me… and I was not gentle”) near the Dead Marshes but couldn’t get any useful information.
It is an honour and a privilege to travel back to Middle-earth with our good friend and collaborator, Andy Serkis, who has unfinished business with that Stinker – Gollum!, Jackson. As life long fans of Professor Tolkien’s vast mythology, we are proud to be working with Mike De Luca, Pam Abdy and the entire team at Warner Bros. on another epic adventure!
Boyens and Walsh said in a statement when the movie was announced
Yesssss, Precious. The time has come once more to venture into the unknown with my dear friends, the extraordinary and incomparable guardians of Middle Earth Peter, Fran and Philippa. With Mike and Pam, and the Warner Bros team on the quest as well, alongside WETA and our film making family in New Zealand, it’s just all too delicious… For over two-decades, moviegoers have embraced the Lord of the Rings film trilogy because of the undeniable devotion Peter, Fran and Philippa have shown towards protecting the legacy of Tolkien’s works, and to ensure audiences could experience the incredible world he created in a way that honors his literary vision. We are honored they have agreed be our partners on these two new films. With Andy coming aboard to direct Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum(*WT), we continue an important commitment to excellence that is a true hallmark of how we all want to venture ahead and further contribute to the Lord of the Rings cinematic history.
added Serkis, said WBD film heads Pam Abdy and Michael De Luca.
Source: CBR