The upcoming film "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum" will deviate from the book canon. This was announced by Ian McKellen, who will reprise the role of Gandalf.
According to the actor, the film will focus on Aragorn and his search for Gollum.
"It's a story about Aragorn trying to find Gollum, and Gandalf is directing the actions from the sidelines."
This approach differs from the text of "The Fellowship of the Ring". In the novel, Gandalf tells Frodo that he, along with Aragorn, had been tracking Gollum throughout Middle-earth for a long time. In the book, both characters took an active part in the search.
The change in Gandalf's role can be explained by adaptation considerations. During the filming of Peter Jackson's original trilogy, McKellen was around 60 years old; now the actor is 86. This likely influenced the decision to reduce his active participation in the plot.
Filming for "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum" will begin in New Zealand in July 2026. The premiere in foreign distribution is scheduled for December 17, 2027.