- Primary Subject: The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum
- Key Update: Elijah Wood has publicly validated leaked story details about the prequel following Sméagol's past and the Rangers hunting him.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: May 29, 2026
- Quick Answer: Elijah Wood confirmed leaked plot points for the 2027 film, which focuses on Sméagol’s early life, the Rangers hunting him, and his ultimate capture.
Elijah Wood has confirmed key details from the leaked The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum plotline after much speculation.
The film’s official storyline has yet to be confirmed, but it is being described as a prequel that would explore Smeagol’s life as he leaves his cave in search of the One Ring, eventually transforming into Gollum. So, will this be The Hunt for Gollum story?
What Did Elijah Wood Say About The Hunt for Gollum?
Elijah Wood is returning to Middle-earth in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, reprising his iconic role as Frodo Baggins.
Set before the events of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, the 45-year-old actor confirmed the film’s logline despite New Line Cinema not officially releasing it.
“It’s essentially following Gollum, and it’s a bit of the backstory of Sméagol, and understanding a little more deeply where he came from,” he told The Direct.
He added that the film will also feature Rangers tasked with tracking Sméagol “because he carries with him… this sort of torment.”
“We see that a little bit in The Lord of the Rings, where he’s tortured, and he sort of says, ‘Shire Baggins,’ which alerts Sauron to the Shire,” Wood explained. “Because otherwise, it was not a place he was ever considering looking for.”
Based on this, fans are likely to see a younger Sméagol before his transformation into the twisted Gollum, while being pursued by Rangers who may include Strider, aka Aragorn, whom Gandalf tasks with preventing the enemy from discovering the One Ring’s location.
As Gollum learns about Bilbo Baggins and the Ring, that information ultimately falls into the wrong hands, setting off the chain of events that lead to the chaos of the main The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Who’s in the Cast of The Hunt for Gollum?
Several original cast members from The Lord of the Rings trilogy are set to return in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, in addition to Elijah Wood.
Of course, this includes Andy Serkis as Sméagol/Gollum, Ian McKellen as Gandalf, and Lee Pace as Thranduil.
There will also reportedly be new faces joining Middle-earth, including Jamie Dornan as Aragorn/Strider, taking over the role from Viggo Mortensen, Kate Winslet as Marigol, and Leo Woodall as Halvard.
Speaking about the film, McKellen told The Times that it was designed to appeal to audiences in the same way The Lord of the Rings did:
“The script is designed to appeal to people who like Lord of the Rings... It’s an adventure story, Aragorn trying to find Gollum with Gandalf directing operations from the sidelines,” he said.
The Tolkien fan site TheOneRing.net reportedly leaked details of The Hunt for Gollum’s plotline, in which a young Sméagol would allegedly be featured.
“We meet young Sméagol... long before the One Ring consumed him... With the ring lost and carried away by Bilbo Baggins, Gollum finds himself compelled to leave his cave in search of it. Gandalf the Grey calls upon Aragorn, still known as Strider, to track the elusive creature whose knowledge of the ring’s whereabouts could tip the balance toward the Dark Lord Sauron,” it read.
While the official storyline of The Hunt for Gollum has not yet been confirmed, the leaks and reported plot details appear consistent with this premise. However, until the studio releases official details, it remains unverified speculation rather than a confirmed storyline.
The Hunt for Gollum is set to hit theaters on December 17, 2027.
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