Lord of the Rings’ Missing 5th Hobbit Explained (& How the Next Movie Can Include Him)

by

What sets *The Lord of the Rings* apart is its focus on unexpected heroes. Although the story includes strong warriors like Aragorn and powerful wizards, the Hobbits are truly at the heart of the adventure. Frodo Baggins, in particular, bravely volunteers to carry the One Ring to Mordor and defeat the evil Sauron. Luckily, Frodo isn’t alone; his loyal friends Sam, Merry, and Pippin join him, forming the Fellowship of the Ring and fighting alongside heroes like Legolas and Gimli.

The *Lord of the Rings* films highlight how unusual Frodo and his companions seem to the other Hobbits in the Shire. The Hobbits are also understandably upset when Sauron’s forces arrive searching for the One Ring. Interestingly, the books reveal a fifth Hobbit secretly helping the quest, but this character hasn’t had a significant role in the movies yet. A future film may finally give them the spotlight they deserve.

The Fifth Hobbit Never Gives Up on His Friends

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s story, Frodo takes on a huge responsibility when he inherits a ring from his uncle Bilbo. Initially, he doesn’t realize the ring is dangerous, but Gandalf quickly discovers its power and warns Frodo not to use it. Gandalf spends years researching the ring, and eventually tells Frodo to leave the Shire and travel to Rivendell. While the journey seems straightforward, Frodo has several things to take care of before he can leave. Luckily, he’s not alone – friends like Fatty Bolger, who understands the importance of destroying the One Ring, are there to help him.

Fatty isn’t as adventurous as his friends, so he stays in the Shire when they leave. To avoid raising suspicion about his absence, he pretends to be Frodo for a while. J.R.R. Tolkien originally thought about having Fatty join the others in the Old Forest, but ultimately removed that part of the story. The movie adaptation, directed by Peter Jackson, similarly gave Fatty a small role – just a quick appearance at Bilbo’s party. However, Fatty might get a bigger chance to shine, as the world of *The Lord of the Rings* is planning to bring him back into the action.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum Will Return to the Shire

Warner Bros. thinks there’s still one more story to tell in the world of *The Lord of the Rings*. They’re developing a new movie, *The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum*, which will follow Gandalf and Aragorn as they search for Gollum, who holds crucial knowledge about the One Ring. The film will begin right after Bilbo’s birthday party, and Frodo will be in it. Elijah Wood is in discussions to reprise his role, and while nothing is confirmed, other actors from *The Hobbit* movies might also return.

With *The Hunt for Gollum* heading to the Shire, the story will likely center on the Ring’s history there. But it would be great to also see what’s happening with Merry, Pippin, and Sam while Gandalf is away. Perhaps they could even reconnect with their friend Fatty. He doesn’t need a long scene or hints about his role in *The Fellowship of the Ring*, but after being overlooked before, he deserves a moment to shine.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum hits theaters on December 17, 2027.

What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!

https://comicbook.com/movies/news/4-incredible-fantasy-characters-that-need-their-own-movies/embed/#

Read More

2025-10-19 16:11