A divisive three-movie fantasy saga currently streaming on HBO Max has undoubtedly redeemed itself ahead of the franchise’s upcoming theatrical return. For the last decade or so, in the wake of Game of Thrones’ monumental success on HBO, high fantasy storytelling has shifted from big-screen adventures to small-screen prestige television. However, long before shows like The Witcher, The Wheel of Time, and even Game of Thrones existed, arguably the most successful fantasy adaptation of all time arrived in cinemas, forever cementing high fantasy as one of the most profitable and popular genres.
Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy changed everything. It was cinema at its absolute best, bringing together all forms of art to create an unforgettable, transformative experience. Unfortunately, the franchise hasn’t reached the same heights since. Even Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy, while financially successful, was nowhere near as acclaimed as its predecessor, and other attempts to bring Middle-earth to life following The Hobbit, including Prime Video’s highly divisive and expensive The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power and Warner Bros.’ anime film The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, have been worse.
To some extent, the franchise feels like it’s been sucked dry, a feeling exacerbated by the news of two new The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring-centric movies. The first, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, slated for release in 2027, will reunite Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood, and Ian McKellen while recasting Viggo Mortensen’s Aragorn. The second, led by Jackson and Tolkien mega-fan Stephen Colbert, will dive deeper into the first leg of Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin’s journey between the Shire and Bree.
With all these recent Middle-earth disappointments, changes, and questionable developments, The Hobbit trilogy has, in hindsight, become something of a comfort. Yes, it had its issues, stretching out a one-book story across three movies, but there was a lot of good in it too, and one of the best parts of the trilogy will return in The Hunt for Gollum to prove it.
Lee Pace’s Thranduil Deserves His Return To Middle-Earth
Thranduil (Lee Pace) staring intensely in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
It’s great that Serkis (who will also direct the film), Wood, and McKellen are all returning for The Hunt for Gollum. Still, it remains to be seen how Jamie Dornan will do in the role of a younger, Fellowship-era Aragorn. Dornan has immense shoes to fill, and any screen time shared with McKellen will only highlight Mortensen’s absence. The Lord of the Rings cast reprising their roles is essentially a double-edged sword — it can truly make or break the film.
With that in mind, the return of a star from The Hobbit trilogy is even more exciting than the return of McKellen, Serkis, and Wood. It’s been confirmed that Lee Pace will reprise his role as the Elven King Thranduil, the aloof and greedy ruler of Mirkwood and father to Orlando Bloom’s Legolas. Pace’s Thranduil was an undeniable highlight of The Hobbit trilogy, perfectly cast to play Mirkwood’s imposing, less-than-friendly ruler. Pace’s portrayal was beautiful and graceful, as all Elves should be, but with a darker edge, a perfect contrast to Cate Blanchett’s poised Galadriel and Hugo Weaving’s kind Elrond.
Thranduil’s engaging dynamic with Luke Evans’ Bard the Bowman in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies might even indicate how he’ll handle Aragorn’s (then still known as Strider) presence in his Kingdom. It’s extremely encouraging that, despite the massive difference in reception between The Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit trilogy, Serkis, Jackson, and Co. haven’t felt the need to dismiss or ignore them entirely. Pace’s Thranduil will add real gravitas and weight to The Hunt for Gollum without deviating from Tolkien’s source material.
Thranduil’s Mirkwood Will Play An Essential Role In The Hunt For Gollum
Thranduil speaking in The Hobbit.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is set before, during, and after the events of Bilbo Baggins’ 111th birthday, when Gandalf discovers that Bilbo left Frodo the One Ring. This interlude was briefly included in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, with Gandalf setting out on a journey to discover more information about the long-lost Ring of Power.
In the book, this journey takes years rather than mere weeks or months, and Gandalf enlists Aragorn’s help to track down the creature Gollum, who held the Ring before meeting Bilbo in The Hobbit. Presumably, in the movie, Aragorn will try to capture Gollum before Sauron’s forces can, following Gollum’s trail from Mordor to the Dead Marshes, to the Misty Mountains, and finally, into Thranduil’s realm of Mirkwood.
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The Hobbit movies weren’t perfect, but I will always love these aspects of them, which make them stand out as an excellent fantasy trilogy.
Although Thranduil and his army don’t appear directly in The Lord of the Rings, Tolkien did write about his valiant protection of Mirkwood and its people from Sauron’s forces throughout the War of the Ring. While Pace plays the brooding, commanding side of Thranduil’s personality brilliantly, it’s also canon that he loves fiercely and grieves deeply, and acts as a wise and thoughtful ruler. It would be great to see those sides of the Elvenruler’s personality shine through in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. Pace deserves that opportunity after his iconic and memorable performance in The Hobbit trilogy, and Thranduil still has so much more to give.
All three The Hobbit movies are now streaming on HBO Max.
Created by
Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Guillermo del Toro
Movie(s)
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies
Character(s)
Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, Thorin Oakenshield, Smaug, Legolas, Tauriel, King Thranduil, Bard the Bowman