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Middle-earth is gaining another legend: Deadline reports Kate Winslet is joining Hunt for Gollum as the film’s female lead.
Details are under wraps about Winslet’s character beyond the fact that it’s a primary role—it’s currently unknown if she’ll be playing a newly created character (akin to Tauriel in the Hobbit trilogy, played by Evangeline Lilly), be recasting a prior Lord of the Rings star, or be playing another figure from Tolkien’s legendarium. Filming, for Winslet at least, is expected to take place in New Zealand from May through to October, with the film still expected for a December 2027 release.
Directed by Andy Serkis, who will reprise his role as the titular creature, Hunt for Gollum is set during the events of Fellowship of the Ring, when Gandalf leaves Frodo and Bilbo’s mysterious magic ring in the Shire to go and investigate its true nature. The wizard tasks Aragorn with locating Gollum, who has long since left his former home in the caves of the Misty Mountains to find the halfling that tricked him out of his precious possession. In the books, that hunt, including Gollum’s capture and eventual escape, takes place over the course of almost two decades.
Alongside Serkis, Ian McKellen had previously confirmed both his and Elijah Wood’s return in the film. Although there was initial hope that Viggo Mortensen could return as Aragorn, recent rumors have since claimed that the role will be recast for the new film.
Who do you think Winslet is playing? Let us know in the comments below!
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Source: Gizmodo