Los Angeles, March 10 – Hollywood actor Elijah Wood is playing it cautiously regarding his potential return as Frodo in the upcoming Andy Serkis-directed film, "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum".
The actor has neither confirmed nor denied his potential return, but the veteran actor stated that he would not want anyone else to take on the role as long as he is "able and willing" to play it, according to reports from 'Deadline'.
The actor acknowledged co-star Ian McKellen teasing details about the upcoming film to fans at a convention last year.
He told The Times U.K., "It hasn't been officially announced, but at a convention last August, Ian kind of let the cat out of the bag. So there is a good chance. I'm not able to officially say anything until it's announced, but I will say I'm thrilled with the prospect of another film."
He further added, "It's always a little nerve-wracking when people talk about new movies for a world like Middle-earth. Everyone gets a little protective and hopes it retains its level of integrity, but this story is fun and exciting. There is a genuine feeling of getting the band back together."
According to 'Deadline', the film is slated for release in late 2027, and tells the story of what happened between the end of the "The Hobbit" prequel trilogy and the beginning of "The Lord of the Rings".
When asked about Ian McKellen's statement that he wouldn't allow anyone else to play Gandalf, Elijah said, "Well, no, and I totally understand that. I certainly wouldn't want anyone else to play Frodo either as long as I'm alive and able. And I can also recognize what fun that is going to be, when you are in the cinema and you see the hat turn around and it's Gandalf. Because I'm also a fan, and excited to see how it all comes together."
Beginning in 2001 with the release of "The Fellowship of the Ring," the first film of the Peter Jackson-helmed trilogy catapulted Wood to a new level of stardom as he took on the lead role of Frodo, the protagonist of J. R. R. Tolkien's books, who is tasked with a noble quest to save Middle-earth.