Coveted 'Lord of the Rings' Prequel 'Hunt for Gollum' Finds Female Lead in Anya Taylor-Joy, Reports

Published 03/08/2026, 9:40 PM EDT

The winds of Middle-earth may soon rise again. A new film set in The Lord of the Rings universe is currently in development and is expected to arrive in 2027, promising another journey of new adventures. While most details about the movie, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, are tightly under wraps, whispers from the rumor mill have begun to reveal intriguing possibilities.

One such rumor is about the casting for, which many believe may have The Queen's Gambit actress Anya Taylor-Joy join the cast.

Anya Taylor-Joy in talks for lead role in The Hunt for Gollum

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The Lord of the Rings prequel, The Hunt for Gollum, is beginning to gain traction as new names emerge in the casting rumors. As per insider DanielRPK, aka Daniel Richtman, Anya Taylor-Joy is reportedly in talks to join the upcoming film set in the world of The Lord of the Rings. However, the role she may play in the film has not yet been revealed. 

Reports also suggest that the project is looking to cast two actresses for major female roles, which has fueled further speculation about casting announcements. DanielRPK also claimed that Leo Woodall, known for his role in the second season of The White Lotus, could be joining the cast as well. If the reports are accurate, Woodall is expected to take on the role of Aragorn, originally played by Viggo Mortensen.

While Woodall recently appeared in Vladimir, Taylor-Joy starred in Lucky. Now, apart from the rumored new additions, some familiar faces may also return. Andy Serkis is expected to reprise his iconic role as Gollum while also directing the upcoming film.

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While a release date is set for 2027, there is also much chatter about the plot of this upcoming film.

What is The Lord of the Rings prequel, The Hunt for Gollum, about?

The Lord of the Rings prequel, The Hunt for Gollum, is reportedly set during the era of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, sometime before Frodo Baggins leaves the Shire. The story is expected to follow Aragorn as he tracks down Gollum, before the creature gets captured by the forces of Mordor and reveals crucial information about the Ring. Gandalf is the one to hand the task to Aragorn.

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As per sources, production on the film could begin as early as May, with filming expected to take place in New Zealand. Now, with casting rumors already stirring excitement, the return to Middle-earth is clearly one of the most eagerly awaited chapters. As chatter around casting is all out, it will be soon when the actors will be soon finalized. 

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What do you think about Anya Taylor-Joy as lead in The Lord of the Rings prequel, The Hunt for Gollum? Let us know in the comments.

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Pritha Debroy

367 articles

Pritha Debroy is an Entertainment writer at NetflixJunkie who can seamlessly switch between breaking down an NBA play and obsessing over the latest K-drama twist. She has written over 3,400 NBA and NFL articles, but her true joy lies in diving into Netflix’s trendiest shows—unpacking themes, stories, and yes, the occasional celebrity chaos. When she is not writing, you’ll find her devouring thrillers (anything by Freida McFadden is an instant yes), revisiting comfort classics like 10 Things I Hate About You and 27 Dresses, or hunting for her next binge-worthy series.

Edited By: Itti Mahajan

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