Overview
- Elijah Wood, in a Happy Sad Confused interview published Thursday, said the film is a side story set in canon that does not carry the weight of the original trilogy.
- Pressed on Viggo Mortensen’s status as Aragorn, Wood did not deny reports he may not return, reinforcing unconfirmed industry chatter about a younger recast.
- Rumors have linked rising actor Leo Woodall to the role, though Warner Bros. and New Line have not announced any casting decisions.
- Wood said much of the original team is back, including producers and writers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens, with Weta FX and the trilogy’s production, hair, and makeup departments returning.
- Warner Bros. and New Line have dated the film for December 17, 2027, with Andy Serkis directing and playing Gollum in an interquel that follows Gandalf tasking Aragorn to hunt for Gollum, which the filmmakers say will deepen the character’s motives.