The next Lord of the Rings film, The Hunt for Gollum, is expected to feature a popular character from The Hobbit. Many fans will appreciate this, as the character wasn’t included in the earlier Lord of the Rings movies. The Lord of the Rings films are widely considered excellent adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s books, and some even prefer them to the original stories. Peter Jackson’s longer films were able to stay true to Tolkien’s complex world, though some characters and details inevitably had to be left out.
It’s understandable that some scenes and characters were left out of the Lord of the Rings films, and for the most part, those omissions didn’t hurt the story. Peter Jackson wisely chose to cut details that weren’t essential. Interestingly, he added a character to his Hobbit films who wasn’t in the original trilogy. This character proved to be a strong addition to the overall story, and it would be great to see them reappear in The Hunt for Gollum. Tolkien hinted at their role during the War of the Ring, so their inclusion would fit well with the narrative and allow audiences to enjoy them again.
The Hunt for Gollum Should Include Lee Pace’s Thranduil From The Hobbit
Lee Pace’s portrayal of Thranduil is a standout addition to the Lord of the Rings world in The Hobbit. He brilliantly captures the essence of the Elven king, bringing both a captivating charm and a powerful presence to the role. Pace also skillfully shows Thranduil’s development throughout the final two Hobbit movies, ultimately turning him into a truly admirable leader.
Lee Pace’s performance isn’t the only reason Thranduil’s first appearance in The Desolation of Smaug was so impactful. While Legolas’ father and the leader of the Silvan Elves isn’t a major character in Frodo’s journey, Tolkien does mention his bravery in battle during the War of the Ring. Knowing Pace’s version of Thranduil was capable of such action makes it feel like a missed opportunity that he wasn’t included more. Luckily, The Hunt for Gollum could still show his efforts against Sauron, which would help balance out his exclusion from The Lord of the Rings.
How Thranduil Could Fit Into the Upcoming Lord of the Rings Movie
Fans curious about whether Thranduil will appear in the new Lord of the Rings movie can find a clue in the original story. When Aragorn searches for Gollum, he eventually brings him to Mirkwood, the kingdom ruled by Thranduil. If the film follows this storyline, it’s likely Aragorn would talk to Thranduil about holding Gollum prisoner. This also means the movie will need to show how Gollum escapes, which could involve an attack on Mirkwood by Sauron’s forces. If that happens, the 2027 film might feature large-scale action sequences, possibly with Thranduil playing a key role.
Although it’s not official, Orlando Bloom has said he’d like to reprise his role in the upcoming 2027 film, The Hunt for Gollum, as he told Variety. If Legolas does appear, it would make sense to also include his father, Thranduil, allowing the film to explore their relationship—something hinted at in The Hobbit movies. This could then seamlessly connect to Legolas’s later travels to Rivendell and his joining of the Fellowship.
Why Thranduil Wasn’t in the Original Lord of the Rings Movies
Including Thranduil in The Hunt for Gollum fits with Tolkien’s original stories, establishing that Legolas’s father actively fought against Sauron. While the Lord of the Rings films could have shown this, they likely didn’t have enough time. The story doesn’t take the characters to Mirkwood, nor does it create a natural encounter with Thranduil. Even in the books, Tolkien only mentions him briefly, focusing primarily on the Fellowship. Introducing a character like Thranduil to viewers unfamiliar with the books might have been confusing, and it could have made the already lengthy films even longer.
As a huge cinema fan, I’d be absolutely thrilled to see Lee Pace take on the role of Thranduil, even in a potential short like The Hunt for Gollum! I’m heading over to the ComicBook Forum to chat about it – feel free to join me and share your thoughts there!
https://comicbook.com/movies/news/lord-rings-movies-most-powerful-characters-ranked/embed/#
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2025-11-24 20:19