The Hobbit Trilogy Keeps Getting Better Ahead Of The Franchise’s 2027 Return

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A fantasy series recently streaming on HBO Max, which initially received mixed reactions, has significantly improved as a new movie is about to be released in theaters. For the past ten years, following the huge success of Game of Thrones on HBO, fantasy stories have largely moved from blockbuster movies to high-quality TV shows. But even before shows like The Witcher, The Wheel of Time, and Game of Thrones became popular, the most successful fantasy adaptation ever premiered in cinemas, establishing high fantasy as a consistently profitable and beloved genre.

Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy was a landmark achievement in filmmaking, seamlessly blending artistry and storytelling to create a truly magical experience. However, subsequent projects set in Middle-earth haven’t lived up to that standard. While Jackson’s The Hobbit trilogy earned a lot of money, it didn’t receive the same critical praise, and more recent adaptations – like the expensive and controversial The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power on Prime Video and Warner Bros.’ animated film The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim – have been even less successful.

The Lord of the Rings franchise is starting to feel a bit overdone, and the announcement of two new movies only adds to that feeling. The first, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, planned for 2027, will bring back Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood, and Ian McKellen, but will feature a new actor as Aragorn. The second film, a project led by Peter Jackson and Stephen Colbert, will explore the early part of Frodo, Sam, Merry, and Pippin’s adventure, specifically their travels from the Shire to Bree.

Considering the recent letdowns and odd choices with other Middle-earth projects, looking back at The Hobbit trilogy is surprisingly comforting. While it wasn’t perfect – expanding a single book into three films was a stretch – it had many strong points. And a particularly beloved element from that trilogy is returning in The Hunt for Gollum, which is exciting news.

Lee Pace’s Thranduil Deserves His Return To Middle-Earth

It’s fantastic to see Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood, and Ian McKellen back for The Hunt for Gollum, especially since Serkis is also directing. However, it’s still uncertain how Jamie Dornan will perform as a younger version of Aragorn, a role made iconic by Viggo Mortensen. Dornan has a lot to live up to, and acting alongside McKellen will inevitably draw comparisons to Mortensen’s performance. Having the original Lord of the Rings cast return is both exciting and risky – it could be amazing, or it could fall flat.

The news that Lee Pace will return as Thranduil, the Elven King, is particularly exciting. Many fans loved his performance in The Hobbit trilogy, and his return arguably generates even more buzz than the confirmations of Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, and Elijah Wood. Pace brilliantly portrayed Thranduil as the powerful, and somewhat intimidating, ruler of Mirkwood. He captured the grace expected of an Elf, but also brought a compelling darkness to the role, creating a fascinating contrast with characters like Galadriel and Elrond.

I found the way Thranduil interacted with Bard in The Battle of the Five Armies really interesting, and it almost felt like a preview of how he’d react to Aragorn when he first arrived in the Woodland Realm. What I appreciate most is that even though The Hobbit wasn’t received as well as The Lord of the Rings, the team behind the films – Serkis, Jackson, and everyone else – didn’t just pretend those stories didn’t matter. I think Lee Pace will bring a fantastic sense of power and seriousness to The Hunt for Gollum, and it’s great to hear they’re staying true to Tolkien’s original vision.

Thranduil’s Mirkwood Will Play An Essential Role In The Hunt For Gollum

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum takes place around the time of Bilbo Baggins’ 111th birthday, focusing on the period when Gandalf learns Bilbo has left Frodo the One Ring. This story fills in details briefly shown in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, where Gandalf begins his quest to uncover the history of the powerful Ring.

The book portrays the quest to find Gollum as a multi-year undertaking, and Gandalf asks Aragorn for assistance. Gollum previously possessed the Ring before Bilbo encountered him in The Hobbit. The movie will likely show Aragorn attempting to capture Gollum before Sauron’s forces do, tracking him from Mordor, through the Dead Marshes and Misty Mountains, and ultimately into the forest kingdom of Mirkwood ruled by Thranduil.

Okay, so Thranduil isn’t in the original Lord of the Rings story, but Tolkien did establish he was a strong protector of Mirkwood during the war against Sauron. Lee Pace absolutely nails the regal, somewhat stern side of Thranduil, and it was a fantastic performance in The Hobbit. But the books also show a character capable of deep love and sorrow, and a genuinely thoughtful leader. I’m really hoping The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum gives us a chance to see those softer, more complex layers of Thranduil. Pace deserves it after making the character so iconic, and honestly, I think there’s still a lot more to explore with him.

All three The Hobbit movies are now streaming on HBO Max.

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2026-04-27 00:52