The fantasy film arrives in theaters on Dec. 17, 2027.

Anya Taylor-Joy joins Lord of the Rings: Hunt for Gollum as an elf character not in J.R.R. Tolkien’s books

The fantasy film arrives in theaters on Dec. 17, 2027.

By Sharareh Drury

June 15, 2026 4:10 p.m. ET

Anya Taylor-Joy. Credit:

Taylor Hill/FilmMagic

- Anya Taylor-Joy has joined the cast of *The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum*.

- The actress will play an elf named Seren, who is a brand new character for the *Lord of the Rings *franchise.

- Directed by Andy Serkis, the film also stars Ian McKellen (as Gandalf), Elijah Wood (Frodo), and Lee Pace (King Thranduil), plus newcomers Kate Winslet as Marigol and Jamie Dornan as Strider/Aragorn.**

Anya Taylor-Joy is headed for Middle-earth.

Warner Bros. announced the Golden Globe-winning actress is joining *The Lord of the Rings:* *The Hunt for Gollum*, and will play a brand-new character for the *Lord of the Rings* franchise.

Taylor-Joy will take on the role of Seren, a Sindar Elf of the Woodland Realm who is described as "a trusted and lethal agent of King Thranduil."

An Instagram post from the official *Lord of the Rings *account offered a glimpse of her character, standing within a rocky cavern wearing a cloak and holding a bow with arrows. "Welcome to the hunt, Anya Taylor-Joy," the caption for the post read.

Among the official cast is Jamie Dornan portraying Aragorn, who was previously played by Viggo Mortensen. He is joined by newcomers Leo Woodall as Halvard, Kate Winslet as Marigol, and returning franchise stars Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Elijah Wood as Frodo, and Lee Pace as Thranduil.***** The Hunt for Gollum *will be directed by Andy Serkis, who formerly portrayed the titular creature in Peter Jackson's original trilogy as well as the *Hobbit* trilogy, and will do so again in the new film.

'The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum' officially recasts Aragorn

Andy Serkis says new 'Lord of the Rings' movie will use 'older techniques', legacy crew members — but won't be a rehash

*The Hunt for Gollum *takes place between Bilbo Baggins’s 111th birthday party and the Mines of Moria, both events which are seen in *The Fellowship of the Ring*, according to one of the film's screenwriters, Philippa Boyens. Gandalf, fearing Gollum might reveal the location of the One Ring to the Dark Lord Sauron, sends Aragorn on a perilous journey to track him down.

"It’s quite an intense story," Boyens explained to *Empire** *in October 2024. "It’s a specific chunk of incredible untold story, told through the perspective of this incredible creature.”

Gollum in 'Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'.

The official synopsis for that film reads: "Fourteen years after the passing of Frodo — Sam, Merry, and Pippin set out to retrace the first steps of their adventure. Meanwhile, Sam's daughter, Elanor, has discovered a long-buried secret and is determined to uncover why the War of the Ring was very nearly lost before it even began."

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*The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum* is scheduled to release on Dec. 17, 2027.

- Sci-Fi & Fantasy Movies

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Source: “EW Sci-Fi”