Orlando Bloom doesn’t want anyone else playing The Lord of the Rings elf Legolas, should the character return in Andy Serkis’ upcoming Middle-earth movie The Hunt for Gollum.
While Legolas’ involvement in the film is still to be confirmed, Bloom has said that if the character does appear, he’d “hate to see” another actor take on the role instead.
“Listen, I’d hate to see anyone else play Legolas, you know what I mean?” Bloom told Today, via EW. “What are they going to do? Are they going to put somebody else in as Legolas? With AI they can do anything these days!”
Set between the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, The Hunt for Gollum will chronicle various characters’ search for Serkis’ loin cloth-wearing creature, who knows the location of the series’ all-important ring.
During this period, both Gandalf and Aragorn seek the former hobbit in order to stop the ring from falling into Sauron’s fiery hands. Indeed, a scene from this time period is even shown very briefly in Fellowship of the Ring, where the words “Baggins” and “Shire” are extracted from Gollum via torture.
Last month, Gandalf actor Ian McKellen surprised fans by confirming his character would somehow return for the film, presumably with McKellen himself once again in the role. Frodo will also appear, McKellen revealed, while standing on stage with Elijah Wood.
So far, however, Bloom says he’s yet to receive his own call-up. “I have not heard a peep, actually,” Bloom admitted, regarding his involvement. “I don’t know. I know it’s focusing on Gollum, so anything’s possible. And I went back for The Hobbit.”
Bloom, now 48, originally played Legolas over the course of all three Lord of the Rings films and the latter two Hobbit movies. Exactly how Legolas would be involved in the events of The Hunt for Gollum remains to be seen, however.
“It’s such an amazing part,” he continued. “I’m so grateful to have been a part of those movies. But I haven’t heard.”
Of course, this isn’t the first time Bloom has shared his desire to return for Serkis’ upcoming Gollum movie. Back in June, the actor said he’d “absolutely” return to play Legolas if he was asked to do so, though admitted he’d need some digital de-aging work done to look the same as he was in The Lord of the Rings.
The Hunt for Gollum is due to begin filming in New Zealand next year, ahead of its release on December 17, 2027.
Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Tom Phillips is IGN’s News Editor. You can reach Tom at [email protected] or find him on Bluesky @tomphillipseg.bsky.social
