Development on The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum\u00a0is currently underway with filming expected to begin in just a few months. While the movie isn’t scheduled to release in theaters next year, there’s a ton of hype surrounding the project, which will be the first live-action\u00a0Middle-earth movie since 2014’s\u00a0The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.<\/p>\n
Although not a direct adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels, we do know that conceptually the film draws from a few lines in\u00a0The Lord of the Rings, specifically in the “Council of Elrond” chapter where Aragorn explains the hunt for Gollum. Earlier this week, the plot sysnopsis had leaked online<\/a>, revealing more specific story details.<\/p>\n We now know that the the story, which takes place before\u00a0The Fellowship of the Ring, explores Gollum’s journey after losing the One Ring, while also following Aragorn’s hunt for the creature at Gandalf the grey’s behest.<\/p>\n Ian McKellen is returning as Gandalf the Grey, confirming his reprisal earlier this month on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The 86-year-old actor, who has portrayed Gandalf in every Lord of the Rings film since 2001\u2019s The Fellowship of the Ring, revealed that filming is scheduled to begin in July. While it\u2019s now confirmed he will appear on screen rather than just providing his voice, the size of his role remains unknown.<\/p>\n \u201cI think in July, which is unfortunate because it\u2019s winter down there in New Zealand,\u201d he said. \u201cBut we\u2019ll be indoors probably most of the time. Yes. And I put on the pointy hat and the beard. And the nose. And the eyebrows. And the mustache. And the gloves, I dare say.\u201d<\/p>\n