Anya Taylor-Joy joins cast of LOTR: Hunt for Gollum

Actress Anya Taylor-Joy has joined the cast of the upcoming film "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum," Warner Bros. announced on Monday, June 15, 2026. She will play Seren, a new character described as a Sindar Elf of the Woodland Realm and a trusted, lethal agent of King Thranduil.

The film, directed by and starring Andy Serkis as Gollum, is set for a worldwide theatrical release on December 17, 2027. Principal photography has recently begun in New Zealand.

Taylor-Joy's casting adds another major name to a project that blends returning franchise veterans with new stars. Ian McKellen will reprise his role as Gandalf, Elijah Wood returns as Frodo Baggins, and Lee Pace is back as King Thranduil. Newcomers to the Middle-earth saga include Kate Winslet as Marigol, Jamie Dornan taking over the role of Strider/Aragorn from Viggo Mortensen, and Leo Woodall as Halvard.

The story is expected to explore the period between the events of "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings," focusing on the hunt for Gollum led by Gandalf and Aragorn. This search, briefly referenced in J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Fellowship of the Ring," aims to uncover the origins and true nature of Bilbo Baggins's...