Anya Taylor-Joy and Kate Winslet are reportedly in talks to join the cast of the upcoming Lord of the Rings film The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, according to new casting rumours circulating online.
The project will be directed by Andy Serkis, who famously portrayed Gollum in Peter Jackson’s original Lord of the Rings trilogy using groundbreaking motion-capture performance. Serkis is expected to reprise the role in the new film while also taking the director’s chair.
Several original cast members are already linked to the project. Elijah Wood, who played Frodo Baggins, and Ian McKellen, who portrayed Gandalf, are both reportedly set to return in key roles, although the full cast has not yet been officially confirmed.
Elijah Wood had confirmed earlier this year that production, 'if they're on time,' is set to being in May of this year.
Ian McKellen had fueled the rumours himself at a fan event: 'I'll tell you two secrets about the casting: 'There's a character in the movie called Frodo, and another character called Gandalf. And apart from that, my lips are sealed.' In response to this statement, Wood said: 'A wizard is to be trusted' which only excited fans even further - if that's possible.
@screenrantplus Elijah Wood Addresses Frodo & Gandalf Reunion In New Lord Of The Rings Movie: "A Wizard Is To Be Trusted" @liamtcrowley #lotr #lordoftherings #thelordoftherings #huntforgollum #thehuntforgollum #gollum #elijahwood #frodo #frodobaggins #ianmckellen #sirianmckellen #gandalf #andyserkis #fanexpo #fanexponeworleans ♬ original sound - ScreenRant+
In recent days, speculation about additional casting has intensified online. Reports claim Leo Woodall, known for his roles in The White Lotus and One Day, is also being considered for a role in the film. The latest rumours now suggest Anya Taylor-Joy and Kate Winslet have also been offered major parts.
According to the speculation, Taylor-Joy, who rose to global fame following her lead role in the hit series The Queen’s Gambit, could appear as one of the film’s central characters. While details remain unclear, some reports suggest she may take on a leading role in the story.
@britishgq Yes, really, Anya Taylor-Joy memorised all of those historic chess plays for The Queen's Gambit. Here’s how. #GQHeroes #GQHeroesxBMW #AnyaTaylorJoy #TheQueensGambit ♬ original sound - British GQ
Meanwhile, Winslet is believed to have been offered a supporting role, with fan speculation suggesting she could portray Gilraen the Fair, the mother of Aragorn, one of the central figures in the wider Lord of the Rings mythology. Other rumours have floated the possibility of a character connected to Gollum’s past, although none of these details have been confirmed by the studio.
Interestingly, Winslet had previously been linked to the franchise decades ago. Reports have suggested she was once considered for the role of Éowyn, the shield-maiden of Rohan, in Peter Jackson’s original trilogy but ultimately did not take part due to scheduling conflicts.
@peredhelheart 'i would rather share one lifetime with you than face all the ages of this world alone.' #lordoftherings #arwen #arwenedit #elves #lotr #lotredit #livtyler #arwenundomiel ♬ original sound - ren 🏹
The upcoming film is being produced by New Line Cinema, the studio behind the original Lord of the Rings films, alongside Warner Bros. Discovery, which secured new rights to develop additional films set in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth.
The Hunt for Gollum is expected to explore events that take place during the timeline of The Fellowship of the Ring, focusing on the efforts by Gandalf and Aragorn to track down Gollum after he reveals the name “Baggins” to Sauron’s forces. The storyline is briefly referenced in Tolkien’s original books but was never fully depicted in the earlier films, leaving room for expansion in the new project.
@thefanoftherings The moment at the “For the Love of Fantasy” panel where Sir Ian McKellan reveals that Frodo (Elijah Wood) is returning for “The Hunt for Gollum” film, releasing in 2027. 👀 *Additionally, he announces that filming begins in May 2026!* 🎥 Credit: u/Chen_Geller #lordoftherings #thehuntforgollum #lotr #gandalf #ianmckellen ♬ original sound - The Fan of the Rings
The original Lord of the Rings trilogy, released between 2001 and 2003, became one of the most successful film series in cinema history. Directed by Peter Jackson, the three films collectively grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide and won 17 Academy Awards, including Best Picture for The Return of the King.
The franchise later expanded with The Hobbit trilogy between 2012 and 2014, while the world of Middle-earth was further explored on television with The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, which debuted on Amazon Prime Video in 2022.
One longstanding criticism of the original Lord of the Rings films has been the limited number of prominent female characters. While figures like Éowyn, Arwen, and Galadriel played important roles, the story was largely centred on male characters. Recent adaptations, including The Rings of Power, have placed greater emphasis on female leads and expanded roles for women within Tolkien’s universe.
@vanityfair #Frodo forever. #ElijahWood reflects on the #LordoftheRings series and saying goodbye to the beloved character. #lotr #yellowjackets #sincity ♬ original sound - Vanity Fair
As a result, the possibility of actors such as Taylor-Joy and Winslet joining the new film has sparked discussion among fans who hope the upcoming instalment will include stronger female representation.
While none of the reported casting has been officially confirmed yet, excitement around the project is steadily building as production details begin to emerge.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is currently scheduled for release in cinemas on December 17, 2027, marking the first new live-action Lord of the Rings film in more than a decade. If the casting rumours prove true, the project could bring together a mix of returning franchise icons and major modern stars as the world of Middle-earth returns to the big screen.
