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The upcoming "Lord of the Rings" spinoff film, "The Hunt for Gollum," has been buzzing with new casting rumors. Just days ago, reports surfaced that British rising star Leo Woodall was in talks to take over Viggo Mortensen's iconic role as Aragorn, with Anya Taylor-Joy also rumored to be joining the cast. Now, Oscar winner Kate Winslet is reportedly the latest star eyeing a role in Middle-earth.
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Renowned entertainment reporter Daniel Richtman first revealed on his Patreon page that Winslet was in talks for "The Hunt for Gollum." Subsequently, Knight Edge Media added that Winslet's potential roles include Aragorn's mother or Gollum's grandmother, with the former considered more likely. The same report also suggested that Taylor-Joy is in discussions to play Arwen, Aragorn's love interest, indicating that Liv Tyler, who portrayed the character in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, is unlikely to return.
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Further corroborating the news, Deadline reported that Winslet is expected to relocate her family to New Zealand for five months this year to film the movie. Director Andy Serkis, who also plays Gollum, and Peter Jackson, director of the original six films and now a producer, have reportedly been courting her for the role since last year. Jackson and Winslet previously collaborated on "Heavenly Creatures" years ago, long before their Hollywood breakthroughs.
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Serkis is set to direct and star in the film, which is slated for release on December 17 next year. Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson's wife, and Philippa Boyens are returning as producers. Walsh, Boyens, Boyens' daughter Phoebe Gittins, and Gittins' writing partner Arty Papageorgiou are co-writing the screenplay. Ian McKellen as Gandalf and Elijah Wood as Frodo are already confirmed to reprise their roles.
The film's story is set between Bilbo Baggins' birthday party in "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" and the Fellowship's arrival at the Mines of Moria. It will open with Gandalf dispatching Aragorn to search for Gollum, as Gandalf fears Gollum might reveal the location of the One Ring to Sauron.