Ian McKellen Reveals Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum’s Story & Sequel Plans

The Lord of the Rings film series is one of the few cinematic franchises that have successfully stood against the test of time. And now, following the news about more projects set in the same universe, the excitement among fans has significantly increased. Sir Ian McKellen, who portrayed Gandalf in all the previous six films, has revealed aspects of Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum’s story and the plans for a sequel.

Sir Ian McKellen provides The Hunt for Gollum’s script and sequel update

McKellen disclosed in a recent interview that there would be two Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum movies. “I’m told it’s two films,” the veteran actor said during an appearance on This Morning. “I probably shouldn’t be saying this. But I haven’t read the script, and I don’t know when it is, and I don’t even know where it will be filmed,” he added.

Earlier this month, McKellen said that he had been approached to reprise his role as Gandalf in the Gollum-centric project. He elaborated on the subject while speaking to This Morning’s Ben Shephard and Cat Deeley.

“Well, all I know is that they called me up and said these films were going to happen, that [they’re] mainly going to be about Gollum,” he recalled. “Andy Serkis who played Gollum is going to direct, and there will be a script arriving sometime in the new year, that’s next year. And then I’ll judge whether I want to go back,” McKellen revealed.

The Critic actor added, “But I would. I’d love to go back to New Zealand [where the previous movies were predominantly shot] number one. And I don’t like the idea of anybody else playing Gandalf.”

The first movie is reportedly slated to come out in 2026. Peter Jackson, who helmed all previous films, will produce the upcoming project. Philippa Boyens and Fran Walsh, the screenwriters of the earlier movies, are collaborating on the screenplay with Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou.