Theory: Who Is Playing Who In ‘Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum’?

With the production start of Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum slowly but surely approaching, fans are getting more eager for any official hint as to the new cast and their respective characters. We’ll try to shine a light on the cast of characters, theorising who will be playing who and how they could into the story of The Hunt for Gollum.

Although details are unconfirmed, the story will probably follow Gandalf recruiting Aragorn in his hunt for Gollum to find out more about The One Ring. The journey takes them through Middle-earth and into Mirkwood.

Andy Serkis (who also serves as director), Ian McKellen, and Elijah Wood will reprise their roles as Gollum, Gandalf, and Frodo. It is unknown if Viggo Mortensen, the actor who originated Aragorn, will be returning, whilst it is also unlikely for the elves Tauriel (who resides in Mirkwood) and Elrond to return, with Evangeline Lilly retiring from acting and Hugo Weaving believing himself too old to play the character.

Leo Woodall In A Leading Male Role

Leo Woodall has reportedly been in talks to join The Hunt for Gollum in a lead male role. It’s definitely possible that Woodall could play Aragorn, but considering he is 12 years younger than Mortensen when he first stepped into the role, I would wager against it. I think he may play an Elf, likely an ally made by Aragorn, as they search for Gollum.

(pictured, Leo Woodall / Image Courtesy of HBO, creative commons)

Anya Taylor-Joy In A Leading Female Role

This one is an interesting one, with Lord of the Rings infamously known for its lack of female characters besides Eowyn, Galadriel, Arwen and a few others. Anya Taylor-Joy has also been in talks to join the film, and there are several roles that she could fit. If Woodall was playing Aragorn, it’s possible that she could be playing Arwen, the love interest of Aragorn.

(pictured Anya Taylor-Joy / Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore, creative commons)

Arwen’s previous actress, Liv Tyler, was quite young when she filmed LOTR, but Taylor-Joy does embody a youthful presence as she just played a 17-year-old in the recent trailer for Dune: Part Three. At age 29, she is close to the same age as Cate Blanchett was when she first starred as Galadriel, a resident of Mirkwood and a close ally of Gandalf. Galadriel is also the grandmother of Arwen, further tying the story’s worldbuilding together. She could embody the ethereal nature but I am leaning closer to Arwen.

Kate Winslet In A Supporting Female Role

Kate Winslet is in talks to join The Hunt for Gollum. To me, she is the hardest to place in the film, but I think she is going to play Galadriel. She is 20 years older than Blanchett when she first played the role, but still retains a youthful look that is important for immortal beings. Further, Blanchett also played Galadriel into her 40s, so this isn’t too far of a stretch.

(pictured Kate Winslet / Image Courtesy of Maggiejumps, creative commons)

Thank you for reading this Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum theory. Consider letting us know your thoughts on who will be playing who in the film.