The Hunt for Gollum just received a disappointing casting update. The news comes from beloved Lord of the Rings star Luke Evans, who confirmed that the fan-favorite Bard the Bowman might not return to the lore in Andy Serkis’ upcoming fantasy film.
In a recent interview with Variety, Evans was asked about his role in Peter Jackson’s Tolkien adaptations, with him having starred as Bard in The Hobbit trilogy. When questioned if he will reprise his character for The Hunt for Gollum, the actor replied, “Well, if I’m correct, Bard is a human. I don’t think he would have been born, or is he dead? Is it in between? How far after The Hobbit is it?”
In response, the interviewer noted that roughly 60 years separate The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and The Hunt for Gollum will be set in between, leaving open the possibility of Bard’s return. But Evans shut even that possibility down, saying, “Yeah, I think Bain, my son, could be in it. But I think Bard doesn’t. Take me back to Wellington. I’d love to go!”
Which Lord of the Rings actors will appear in The Hunt for Gollum?
While Evans might not return as Bard in The Hunt for Gollum, several other Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogy actors are. This includes Serkis as Sméagol, a Hobbit of the Stoor branch whose mind is poisoned by the One Ring, turning him into the wretched creature Gollum; Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey, a wandering Wizard who sends Strider to hunt for Gollum; Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins, the young Hobbit who inherits the One Ring from his uncle Bilbo Baggins; and Lee Pace as Thranduil, the Elven king of the Woodland Realm.
Other stars joining them in this adventure include Kate Winslet as Marigol, Jamie Dornan as Strider/Aragorn (taking over the role from Viggo Mortensen), Leo Woodall as Halvard, and Anya Taylor-Joy as Seren.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum releases in theaters on 17 December, 2027.
Originally reported on SuperHeroHype.
