How Ian McKellan’s Gandalf And Elijah Wood’s Frodo Can Reunite In Lord Of The Rings’ New Movie

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Peter Jackson is continuing his cinematic journey through Middle-earth with a new film, The Hunt for Gollum. The story will likely unfold around the same time as the beginning of The Fellowship of the Ring, and will feature some characters fans already know. Andy Serkis will return as Gollum, and Ian McKellen is confirmed to reprise his role as Gandalf. There’s also a good chance we’ll see Aragorn, and Sauron may make an appearance as well.

Ian McKellen has revealed that Frodo Baggins is also expected to return. While it’s not confirmed yet if Elijah Wood will reprise his role as the ring-bearer, he’s previously expressed interest in returning to Middle-earth and could easily recapture the part, even after all these years.

It would be huge news if Ian McKellen and Elijah Wood returned for another The Lord of the Rings film. Could the story from The Hunt for Gollum offer a way to make that happen?

Gandalf & Frodo Can Reunite In The Shire During The Hunt For Gollum

The timeline of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings makes it possible for Frodo and Gandalf to meet again on screen. The story of The Hunt for Gollum could begin right after the events of The Hobbit, when Gandalf and the White Council drive Sauron out of Dol Guldur. From that point on, Gandalf becomes increasingly worried about the One Ring and starts visiting Frodo at Bag End more and more often.

Because Gandalf frequently visits the Shire during this period, the story The Hunt for Gollum can show several scenes of Gandalf and Frodo together. With each visit, Gandalf grows more and more suspicious about the magical ring Bilbo Baggins owns, especially while enjoying the hospitality of the Baggins family.

Now that Ian Holm has passed away, it’s doubtful Bilbo will reappear in future stories. While an actor could be recast, it’s probably not needed. The Hunt for Gollum could easily feature scenes with Gandalf and Frodo talking while Bilbo is busy with something else. Bilbo’s absence would only become noticeable if Frodo spends a lot of time in Bag End, meeting with Gandalf repeatedly.

Gandalf & Frodo’s Scenes In The Hunt For Gollum Could Run Parallel To The Fellowship Of The Ring

There’s a more complex way Ian McKellen and Elijah Wood could potentially appear together in a sequel called The Hunt for Gollum. In Peter Jackson’s 2001 film, The Fellowship of the Ring, Bilbo leaves the Shire after his birthday, and the One Ring ends up with Frodo. Gandalf then travels to research the Ring, returns to the Shire, throws the Ring into Bilbo’s fireplace, and immediately tells Frodo he needs to leave.

In the movie, these events happen quickly, seemingly within weeks or months. However, the books show a much longer timeframe – a full 17 years pass between Bilbo’s birthday and when Gandalf discovers the meaning of the inscription on the Ring.

As a huge Tolkien fan, I’ve always thought it would be amazing if The Hunt for Gollum showed us what Gandalf was up to during those lost years between Bilbo’s party and Frodo leaving the Shire. Imagine Gandalf popping in to check on Frodo, maybe even noticing Frodo acting a little too invisible whenever the Sackville-Bagginses came calling – hinting that he was using the Ring! It would be a great way to show us how Gandalf’s suspicions about the Ring grew, and why it took him so long to figure out it was the One Ring. Plus, it would explain why Bilbo was already gone when things really started to heat up!

Adding more scenes to the beginning of The Fellowship of the Ring would significantly alter the movie’s pacing and overall experience. While it would align more closely with the established lore of The Lord of the Rings, reimagining a popular film like The Fellowship of the Ring with The Hunt for Gollum might not resonate with viewers.

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2026-01-06 22:28