The new The Lord of the Rings prequel movie The Hunt for Gollum has cast some big name stars to play new characters alongside its returning stars, and another actor has just been added to that cast list.
The Queen’s Gambit, Last Night in Soho and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga actor Anya Taylor-Joy has been officially announced as Seren, a Sindar Elf of the Woodland Realm.
The character is described in the synopsis as “a trusted and lethal agent of King Thranduil”, Legolas’ father who isn’t a fan of outsiders.
Courtesy of Warner Bros. Picture
Related: UK film release dates
Lee Pace is reprising the role of Thranduil from The Hobbit films, while Sir Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood, and Andy Serkis are back as Gandalf the Grey, Frodo Baggins, and the titular Gollum, respectively.
The other new cast members include Kate Winslet, who previously turned down the role of Éowyn in the original trilogy. She is rumoured to be playing a character called Marigol, a relation of Sméagol (Gollum before he got corrupted).
Jamie Dornan has been cast as Strider/Aragorn, replacing Viggo Mortensen, while Leo Woodall will play another Dúnedain ranger, Halvard.
Woodall called it a “boyhood dream” to be a part of the franchise, stating to People: “I watched it as a kid and I’ve seen it a million times, so to be part of it now is incredible.”
New Line Productions
Related: Peter Jackson clarifies long-running rumours of even longer Lord of the Rings movies
Set before (or possibly partway through) The Fellowship of the Ring, the film’s plot apparently focuses on the heroes trying to stop Sauron’s forces from finding and torturing the corrupted creature.
Of course, we know from Fellowship that they fail to do so, as Gollum spits out “Shire… Baggins”, and Frodo’s journey begins.
The Hunt for Gollum is written by original trilogy screenwriters Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, with Peter Jackson producing and Gollum actor Andy Serkis directing.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum will be released on 17 December 2027.
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