The cast of the new Middle-earth film Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum has been enriched by a prominent name. As announced by the producing film studio Warner Bros., The Queen's Gambit star Anya Taylor-Joy (30) is joining the cast. "Welcome to the hunt, Anya Taylor-Joy," states an official X post, which also grants a first look at the character and reveals the role name of the new cast addition.

Anya Taylor-Joy Plays an Elf

As also reported by the US trade magazine Variety, Taylor-Joy plays the Sindar elf Seren from the Woodland Realm. She is described as "a trusted and deadly agent of King Thranduil." The 30-year-old is also known from films such as Robert Eggers' The Witch, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, or The Northman. Warner Bros. will release Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum worldwide on December 17, 2027.

Recasting for Aragorn

Numerous cast members of the upcoming Tolkien adaptation were already confirmed beforehand. Director Andy Serkis (62) will once again become Gollum - as he was in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy from 2001 to 2003 and in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Fifty Shades of Grey star Jamie Dornan (44) will become Strider, also known as Aragorn, as was already previously known. He is stepping into the shoes of Viggo Mortensen (67), who portrayed the character in the original Lord of the Rings trilogy.

The White Lotus star Leo Woodall (29) will also be part of the new Lord of the Rings film. He slips into the role of Halvard, who joins Strider. Lee Pace (47) celebrates his comeback as Thranduil, whom he already played in the Hobbit trilogy. The new film takes place between the Hobbit trilogy and the Lord of the Rings trilogy. In it, Aragorn and Gandalf set out in search of Gollum to learn more about Bilbo's unique ring.

Kate Winslet Plays Marigol

It was also already known that Kate Winslet (50) is part of the project. The name of her character is Marigol. It is the female lead role. Ian McKellen (87) will once again be seen as Gandalf, Elijah Wood (45) returns as Frodo.

The Hunt for Gollum is not the only new Lord of the Rings film. US talk show host Stephen Colbert is writing a second film script together with Philippa Boyens and Peter McGee with the working title Shadow of the Past. The film is scheduled to be released following Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum and does not yet officially have a director.