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"The Lord of the Rings" prequel "The Hunt for Gollum," helmed by "Gollum" actor Andy Serkis, finally unveiled its complete main cast list today at CinemaCon, following months of swirling casting rumors.
The film sees the return of franchise veterans Andy Serkis himself, Lee Pace as Elvenking Thranduil, Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey, and Elijah Wood as Frodo. Joining the cast are Jamie Dornan as Aragorn, Leo Woodall as Halbarad, and Kate Winslet as Marigold.
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Winslet and Woodall were previously rumored for roles, but Winslet was initially thought to play either Aragorn's mother or Gollum's grandmother. It's now confirmed she will portray Marigold, a chieftain of the Stoor, a branch of the Hobbit race to which Gollum also belongs. The film will also explore Gollum's younger days when he was known as Sméagol.
Woodall was initially rumored to play Aragorn, but his character, Halbarad, is confirmed to be a Ranger of the Dúnedain and a close comrade-in-arms to Aragorn. The recasting of Aragorn is widely speculated to be due to age considerations for the character's portrayal, in addition to Viggo Mortensen's decision not to return.
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The film is slated for a December 17, 2027, release. Returning to produce are Philippa Boyens, co-writer and producer of the entire "Lord of the Rings" saga; Peter Jackson, director of the original six films, now serving as producer; and Fran Walsh, Jackson's long-time writing partner and wife. Walsh, Boyens, Boyens' daughter Phoebe Gittins, and Gittins' writing partner Arty Papageorgiou are credited with co-writing the screenplay.
The 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. The plot kicks off with Gandalf sending Aragorn to hunt for Gollum, fearing that Gollum might divulge the One Ring's location to the Dark Lord Sauron.