The inbox pinged. Another interview request. Elijah Wood sighed, the name “Gollum” flashing across the screen like a persistent phantom. He knew what they wanted, what everyone wanted, but the wizard had already spoken: “I can neither confirm nor deny.”
Speculation reached fever pitch last summer when Ian McKellan cheekily suggested a certain hobbit might grace Andy Serkis’ upcoming Lord of the Rings film, The Hunt for Gollum. Now, Wood himself has addressed the swirling rumors, and his response is a masterclass in playful deflection… with a hint of something more.
According to ScreenRant, at Fan Expo New Orleans, Wood responded to the McKellan tease with this gem: “I can neither confirm nor deny. Listen, a wizard is to be trusted.”
Then he added, “Aside from any of that, I’m not really allowed to confirm.” Make of that what you will.
The Band Is (Potentially) Back Together for More Lord of the Rings
Think of your favorite band getting back together after years apart. That electricity, that shared history – that’s what Wood seems to be hinting at regarding the creative team behind The Hunt for Gollum.
“I’m really excited about the film. I think it really is a creative ‘getting the band back together.’ A lot of the creative heads of department are back and in that space again … it’s very much that core original group getting back together to tell this story that will feel like a really fun exploration of this character that we all love so much,” Wood shared. The excitement is palpable.
“And I’m just really excited. I’m excited for Andy to direct it. It feels so unbelievably appropriate that he directs a film about his character that he has really made his own. I’m thrilled. It’ll be great. And I’m excited to see…I know their intention is to make other films in this universe. And that’s exciting; it’s interesting to see where that goes, but very exciting.”
Will Gandalf be in The Hunt for Gollum?
While Wood remained tight-lipped about his own potential involvement, his praise for Serkis directing The Hunt for Gollum was effusive. Serkis, having breathed life into Gollum for so long, seems the natural choice to helm this particular story. One imagines Gandalf, played by Ian McKellan, would be an important piece of that story.
Frodo’s Lips Are Sealed… For Now
Consider Wood’s response a locked treasure chest. He’s clearly thrilled about the project, but about appearing in it? Mum’s the word.
That’s not a yes or no answer. It’s not even a maybe. But one thing we can count on is that considering how The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum isn’t out until December 2027, there are almost two years ahead of us to speculate, pontificate, and analyze actors’ carefully worded interview responses.
How many Lord of the Rings movies will there be?
“I know their intention is to make other films in this universe,” Wood revealed, opening a Pandora’s Box of possibilities. The Tolkien universe is vast, ripe with untold stories. The Lord of the Rings franchise is now a powerful current that can take many shapes and sizes.
Beyond Gollum: The Future of Middle-earth on Screen
Imagine Middle-earth as a sprawling garden. We’ve seen Frodo’s journey, but countless other stories bloom in the shadows, waiting to be told. The landscape is fertile, with potential narratives sprouting from every corner. Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) seems keen to cultivate this garden for years to come.
For now, we have The Hunt for Gollum to anticipate. And with key creative personnel returning, the film promises a familiar yet fresh take on Tolkien’s world.
Is Elijah Wood going to be in the new Lord of the Rings movie?
Elijah Wood’s coy responses have only fueled speculation. Is he truly uninvolved, or is this masterful misdirection? Only time will tell. For now, fans must dissect every word, every inflection, searching for clues.
Perhaps this response is also related to the fact that Amazon is launching it’s own Lord of the Rings universe, which may compete with the Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) franchise.
One thing is clear: Wood supports the vision. He trusts the creative team, particularly Serkis. And he’s excited about the prospect of more Middle-earth adventures. That alone should offer solace to worried fans. The only question is, will Frodo Baggins be there to see them? And at €1.37 billion invested by Amazon, can this franchise truly stay true to the source material?
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