Elijah Wood Says He Doesn't Want Anyone Else To Play Frodo While He's Still Around

Elijah Wood appears ready to return to the Shire more than twenty years after audiences last saw Frodo Baggins on the big screen. The actor has spoken about the possibility of stepping back into the world of Middle-earth, and he sounds very open to the idea.

The new project, titled The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, is currently in development at Warner Bros. If it moves forward as planned, it will mark the first new film in the franchise in roughly twenty-three years.

Reports indicate that filming could begin sometime this year. The movie is expected to arrive in theaters in December 2027 if production stays on schedule.

Andy Serkis, the actor known for bringing Gollum to life through motion capture, is set to direct the film while also returning to play the character once again.

Several familiar faces from the original trilogy may also return. Ian McKellen is expected to reprise his role as Gandalf, and Elijah Wood could return as Frodo Baggins.

Speaking about the possibility of returning to Middle-earth, Wood told The Times: "It hasn't been officially announced, but at a convention last August, Ian sort of let the cat out of the bag."

Elijah Wood said that Ian McKellen 'let the cat out the bag' about his LOTR return Michael Loccisano/Getty Images

He continued discussing the potential project and added: "So there is a good chance. I'm not able to officially say anything until it's announced, but I will say I'm thrilled with the prospect of another film."

The actor also shared that he feels excited about the idea of working with the original team again. He explained: "There is a genuine feeling of getting the band back together."

During the same interview, Wood also addressed the possibility of someone else stepping into the role of Frodo in the future.

The role of Frodo has become strongly connected with Wood since the original trilogy debuted in the early 2000s.

For many fans, his portrayal helped define the character and remains one of the most recognizable performances in the series.

"I certainly wouldn't want anybody else to play Frodo either as long as I'm alive and able," the actor explained.

Wood also said he understands why Ian McKellen might feel the same way about the role of Gandalf while he is still active.

So far, the studio has not officially confirmed which other actors from the original cast may return alongside Wood, Serkis, and McKellen.

The actor said he wouldn't want anyone else to play Frodo while he's alive Warner Bros.

Although Wood’s return has not been fully confirmed yet, reports suggest that another major star could join the new film.

According to Deadline, Academy Award-winning actress Kate Winslet is rumored to appear in the movie.

Winslet is expected to play a major female role, though details about the character have not yet been revealed.

The actress hinted last year that she might spend a large portion of 2026 filming outside the country. She told Deadline that she expected to be away from home for much of the year, but she did not explain the reason at the time.

If the reports turn out to be true, Winslet’s involvement would mark a notable addition to the expanding Middle-earth universe.

The upcoming film aims to reconnect audiences with the familiar world that helped make the original trilogy one of the most beloved fantasy series ever made.

The news that Winslet may join the cast is especially interesting because she was once rumored to have turned down a role in the series many years ago.

At the time, it was widely believed that she had been offered the role of Éowyn in the original trilogy.

That role eventually went to Miranda Otto, who played the warrior of Rohan in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Return of the King.