Ian McKellen Suits Up as Gandalf Again: What We Know About ‘The Hunt for Gollum’

The first images of 87-year-old Ian McKellen as Gandalf in the upcoming film “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” have surfaced online. The actor has once again donned the famous gray robe, white beard and wig, more than a decade after filming the “Hobbit” trilogy. But the wizard’s return to the screen came not in an official Warner Bros. trailer, but thanks to an unexpected musical cameo.

As Pitchfork reports, McKellen recorded an introductory speech for a new music video by pop artist Troye Sivan for the song “Party.” It was in material related to the production of that medieval-styled music video that fans spotted the actor in full Gandalf makeup. And while the video itself has no direct connection to the Tolkien franchise, it clearly confirmed that McKellen is already actively involved in the production of the new film.

🚨 BREAKING: The first look at Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf on the set of “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” has been released. 🎬 pic.twitter.com/slCulgs2vS

— Tolkien Universe (@Tolkienuniverse) September 17, 2026

An Aragorn Replacement and Star Newcomers

The plot of “The Hunt for Gollum” unfolds before the events of “The Fellowship of the Ring.” The story centers on Gandalf’s mission to track down Sméagol and find out what he knows about the One Ring.

The project’s biggest casting change is a new actor in the role of Aragorn. Viggo Mortensen will not return to his character: the part of the young Strider will be played by Jamie Dornan. Andy Serkis, who is not only returning as Gollum but also directing the film, explained the move by the timeline: audiences will see the character at an earlier stage of his journey, when he was still a wandering Dúnedain ranger.

Some of the classic cast, however, will remain in place. Elijah Wood will play Frodo again, and Lee Pace will appear as the Elven king Thranduil.

The studio has also significantly bolstered the ensemble with new faces. According to Variety, Kate Winslet (as a character named Marigol), Leo Woodall (Halvard) and Anya Taylor-Joy, who has been cast as an elf, have joined the franchise.

The Old Team Behind the Camera

For Middle-earth fans, the project looks less like a studio attempt to cash in on nostalgia and more like a logical expansion of the universe under the control of its chief architects. Production is already underway, and the film is being made by veterans of the original trilogy: Peter Jackson is overseeing the shoot as producer, while Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens are writing the script together with Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou.

“The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” is scheduled to hit theaters on December 17, 2027.