Summary
TheLord of the Ringsfranchise is expanding with new movies in the works. However, one actor will not be returning to the franchise.
Fans are eagerly anticipating at least two newLord of the Ringsmovies and are excited to see which original cast members might reprise their roles. But it seems one notable actor is officially done with their involvement and will not be returning to Middle-earth. This news adds a touch of disappointment for some as they look forward to the next chapter of the beloved franchise.
In a recent interview with GamesRadar+about his current projectSlow Horses, Hugo Weaving, who portrayed Elrond inLord of the Rings, confirmed he will not be returning to the role. Despite being a fan-favorite character, Weaving shared that while he enjoyed his time in the franchise, he is ready to leave Middle-earth behind.
“I’ve had enough of Middle-earth. I don’t imagine anyone would ask me to do it again.”
As theLord of the Ringsfranchise continues to expand, withThe Hunt for Gollummovies expected in the coming years, fans are eagerly awaiting news aboutwhich actors might return. Andy Serkis is currently the only confirmed cast member, reprising his iconic role as Gollum while also directing the movies. Though other major stars, like Orlando Bloom (Legolas), Ian McKellen (Gandalf), and Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn), have discussed returning, nothing has been finalized.
Ian McKellen is considering a returnafter his break and plans to read the script he expects to receive early next year. Meanwhile, Viggo Mortensen has indicated he would returnif the story “made sense.”Peter Jackson, the visionary behind the originalLord of the Ringstrilogy, is returning as a producer, with co-writers Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens involved in shaping the screenplay. They will be joined by Phoebe Gittins and Artie Papageorgiou, who previously worked onThe Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. Filming is expected to begin next year, with the first of the two Gollum movies potentially hitting theaters as early as 2026, provided everything stays on track.
Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollumis expected to arrive in theaters sometime in 2026.
Source:GamesRadar+
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is one of the most iconic names in entertainment. The franchise started with novels from J. R. R. Tolkien before being adapted onto the big screen by Peter Jackson in one of the most critically-acclaimed film trilogies of all time. There have also been numerous The Lord of the Rings video games of varying quality.
