Elijah Wood Stays Coy About Frodo’s Return in The Hunt for Gollum

Elijah Wood is keeping fans guessing about whether he’ll return as Frodo Baggins in the upcoming Lord of the Rings film, The Hunt for Gollum — and he’s doing it with a wink worthy of Middle-earth.

When asked directly about reprising his iconic role, Wood declined to give a straight answer. Speaking to ScreenRant at Fan Expo New Orleans, the actor joked, “I can neither confirm nor deny. Listen, a wizard is to be trusted,” nodding to a tease made last year by fellow LOTR star Ian McKellen. Wood added that he’s simply “not really allowed to confirm.”

What Wood can confirm is his enthusiasm for the project. He said he’s “really excited about the film,” describing it as a creative reunion of the original team behind the beloved trilogy. According to Wood, key figures like Philippa Boyens are back on board, helping to shape a story that feels both familiar and fresh.

Wood also praised Andy Serkis, who is set to direct and star in the film. “It feels so unbelievably appropriate that he directs a film about his character that he has really made his own,” Wood said, calling the project “thrilling” and expressing excitement about the possibility of more films set in the same universe.

The new movie marks a major return to Middle-earth. In summer 2024, original LOTR helmer Peter Jackson was announced as a producer on the live-action installment, with Serkis directing. While the film was initially slated for a 2026 release, its premiere has since been pushed to December 17, 2027.

Speculation about returning characters intensified last August when McKellen made waves at the For the Love of Fantasy fan event in London. He revealed that a new Middle-earth film was in the works, teasing that it would feature characters named Frodo and Gandalf — before joking, “Apart from that, my lips are sealed!”

Wood was present at that event as well, smiling knowingly alongside fellow Lord of the Rings alumni Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd, and John Rhys-Davies. While nothing has been officially confirmed, the hints, smiles, and carefully chosen words have only fueled fan excitement.

For now, Wood is sticking to his wizardly discretion — but his excitement makes one thing clear: the journey back to Middle-earth is something he, and fans around the world, are eager to see unfold.