Warner Bros. Unveils Cast for Hunt for Gollum Film

Warner Bros. unveiled the cast for the upcoming film "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum" during its presentation at CinemaCon in Las Vegas on Tuesday, confirming a mix of returning actors and new talent for the prequel set in J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth.

Directed by and starring Andy Serkis as the tormented creature Gollum, also known as Sméagol, the movie explores events between "The Hobbit" and "The Fellowship of the Ring." The story centers on Aragorn, then operating under the alias Strider as chief of the Northern Dúnedain Rangers, who joins Gandalf in a quest to capture Gollum before the creature can disclose the One Ring's location to the dark lord Sauron. Much of the narrative draws from Tolkien's original writings, including detailed footnotes.

Joining Serkis are several familiar faces from Peter Jackson's earlier adaptations. Ian McKellen returns as the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Elijah Wood reprises his role as Frodo Baggins, and Lee Pace is back as the Elvenking Thranduil. The film marks a recasting for Aragorn, with Jamie Dornan, known for roles in "Belfast" and "Fifty Shades of Grey," stepping into the part previously played by Viggo Mortensen. New...