Overview
- Sir Ian McKellen told an audience the film includes characters named Frodo and Gandalf, stopping short of confirming specific actors for those roles.
- The project is reported to be directed by Andy Serkis, who is expected to return as Gollum.
- Filming is slated to begin in May 2026 in New Zealand, according to McKellen’s remarks and subsequent reports.
- A theatrical release has been reported for December 17, 2027, though studio confirmation was not cited in the coverage.
- The film is positioned as a Gollum-focused prelude set before The Fellowship of the Ring, with original-trilogy creatives Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens involved, while Aragorn casting remains unresolved and Viggo Mortensen is not expected to return.