Scheduled for release on December 17, 2027, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum will be a self-contained story filling the gap between events in The Fellowship of the Ring. It follows Gandalf and Aragorn as they attempt to locate Gollum after Bilbo’s birthday but before the group enters Moria. Gandalf seeks to understand the Ring’s power, Aragorn handles the difficult task of finding and following Gollum, and the story is made more urgent by the fact that Sauron’s forces are also searching for him.
With that in mind, the best approach is to keep the number of characters manageable and suggest a vast world through the mechanics of the quest itself, rather than by constantly featuring well-known faces. Focus on characters naturally suited to a long, secretive pursuit: Rangers (giving Aragorn a purpose beyond simply traveling, and connecting him to a network of protectors), limited but logical Elven involvement (they notice everything and dislike being caught off guard), and a believable sense of Sauron’s forces closing in. The movie shouldn’t become a reunion of familiar characters from the Council; instead, it should embrace the core tension of this period in Middle-earth’s history: the fate of the world resting on the shoulders of exhausted individuals struggling to find answers before their enemies do. If it stays true to that, it will truly capture the spirit of Tolkien’s work.
10. Thranduil
It would be great to see Thranduil, the Elvenking of Mirkwood, in the story. Since Gollum is captured and held prisoner in his kingdom, including him would add important political context. Interactions between Thranduil, Aragorn, and Gandalf could showcase the strained relationships between Elves and Men when the alliances of Middle-earth were still uncertain.
Thranduil’s careful and distant personality is a good match for Aragorn’s direct approach. Showing how he juggles protecting his kingdom with Gandalf’s desire to question Gollum would add more depth to Mirkwood’s role in the story.
9. Legolas
Legolas, as the son of King Thranduil and a capable warrior from Mirkwood, could help viewers connect with his father’s kingdom. Showing him before he joined the Fellowship would make sense in the story, highlighting his development and hinting at his existing relationship with Aragorn and his awareness of the growing danger.
Bringing Legolas into the story gives fans a welcome look at his life before he joined the Fellowship. It’s a chance to see how he grew from a prince of the forest into the skilled warrior we know.
8. Elrond
Having Elrond involved would help maintain consistency throughout the story’s timeline. As a key figure already knowledgeable about the Rings of Power, Gandalf would naturally seek his advice during the search. Elrond’s wisdom and careful approach would emphasize just how seriously the wise leaders viewed the possibility of capturing Gollum.
Elrond’s appearances in the story serve to explain important details and add emotional weight. Because he knows Sauron is returning and is concerned about Aragorn and Frodo, he helps prepare the audience for what happens next, and strengthens the link between The Hunt for Gollum and The Fellowship of the Ring.
7. Bilbo Baggins
Bringing Bilbo into the story could powerfully remind us of what’s at risk. Even though he’s old and living peacefully in Rivendell, his past connection to Gollum – and to the Ring itself – still matters. Sharing his thoughts could make the story feel even more significant, clearly showing how the Ring’s journey began in The Hobbit and how it’s now about to cause major problems.
Even a short scene showing Bilbo struggling with his feelings about Gollum would make the story more meaningful. It would be a good way to remind the audience how everything started – with the famous riddle game between them in the darkness.
6. Arwen
Adding Arwen to the story would make Aragorn’s journey more emotionally resonant. Their relationship was developing amidst peril and a looming fate. Showing their connection would make Aragorn’s quest feel more personal, reminding the audience what’s at stake for him – not just his duty, but also the love he’s trying to protect.
Arwen’s role doesn’t need to be a grand spectacle—a simple, private moment with Aragorn, like a quiet conversation or goodbye before he goes on his journey, would be enough. This intimate connection would make his later hardships in The Lord of the Rings even more meaningful, creating a stronger emotional link throughout the story.
5. Glóin
Glóin, though only appearing briefly, could bring a down-to-earth, practical viewpoint as a Dwarf. Dwarves are often separate from the political dealings and magical worlds of Elves and Wizards. Being in Rivendell at that time as a representative of Erebor, he could share news about rising problems, suggesting a wider state of unrest across Middle-earth.
Adding Glóin to the story would make the world feel more complete. Since dwarves aren’t expected to play a big role in The Hunt for Gollum, he could serve as a good reminder that Sauron’s influence extends well beyond the familiar lands of the Shire and Mirkwood.
4. Faramir
Bringing Faramir into the story earlier would be a smart way to build connections. At this point, he’d probably be back in Gondor, learning from his father and studying history. A quick scene showing him interacting with Gandalf, or even just hearing rumors about Gollum, could hint at his future encounter with Frodo and Sam.
He embodies Gondor’s wisdom and strong moral compass. His genuine curiosity about the Ring, combined with his natural goodness, offers a stark contrast to Denethor’s increasing fearfulness, highlighting the internal conflict within the race of Men before the War of the Ring began.
3. Galadriel
As a Tolkien fan, I always felt Galadriel’s presence would really elevate the magical atmosphere of Middle-earth. She just got the weight of things, especially the tragedy of Gollum, and I imagine she’d be one of those quietly powerful figures advising Gandalf from the shadows. Even a brief, dreamlike scene with her could remind us this quest isn’t just about chasing someone – it’s about something much deeper, a spiritual struggle as much as a physical one.
Her visual style could create a powerful, legendary atmosphere, linking Gollum’s tragic path to the disappearing world of the Elves. Additionally, her insights could hint at the growing shadow threatening Middle-earth.
2. Boromir
A brief appearance by Boromir would work best to highlight the increasing desperation within Gondor. His desire for power and strength could be hinted at through mentions or a scene showing Gondor’s vulnerable borders. This wouldn’t disrupt the main story, but would emphasize the danger if Gollum were to fall into Sauron’s hands.
Knowing what would eventually happen to him makes his earlier moments even more impactful. Seeing him before the start of The Fellowship of the Ring – full of hope, strong-willed, and already feeling the weight of his family’s legacy – makes his later decisions all the more heartbreaking.
1. Saruman
Even a small role for Saruman would add significant weight to the story of The Hunt for Gollum. He was known to everyone as the leader of the White Council, but secretly he was becoming evil. His quiet resistance to Gandalf’s goals, or twisting of the truth, would create a sense of danger without needing a direct conflict.
As a huge fan, I’ve always thought Saruman was fascinating. He wasn’t just a villain, but a symbol of how power corrupts even the wisest among us. It would have been amazing to see even a small scene between him and Gandalf early on, something that subtly showed Saruman was already going down a dark path. That would have made the reveal of his betrayal in The Fellowship of the Ring even more shocking and impactful, and really set the stage for everything that followed.
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2026-02-04 20:19