Anya Taylor Joy joins ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum’ as an elf

The actress will portray a trusted agent of King Thranduil in the fantasy film due in 2027 release

Anya Taylor Joy has officially joined the cast of The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, adding another major franchise to her growing list of blockbuster roles.

Variety reported that the Golden Globe winner will portray Seren, a Sindar Elf from the Woodland Realm. The character is described as a trusted and deadly operative serving King Thranduil. Lee Pace is set to reprise his role as the Elven ruler, while Andy Serkis returns both as director and as Gollum.

The upcoming film also brings back several familiar faces from Peter Jackson’s original trilogy. Ian McKellen is returning as Gandalf, while Elijah Wood will once again play Frodo Baggins. New additions to the ensemble include Kate Winslet as Marigol, Jamie Dornan as Strider and Leo Woodall as Halvard.

Warner Bros and New Line Cinema are planning a worldwide release for December 17, 2027.

Taylor Joy’s casting marks her third involvement with one of Warner Bros’ biggest franchises. She previously appeared in Furiosa, the prequel to Mad Max: Fury Road, and also joined Denis Villeneuve’s Dune series. The concluding chapter, Dune: Part Three, is scheduled for release on December 18.

Outside cinema, Taylor Joy will next be seen in Apple TV+’s Lucky, a project she also executive produces.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is set during the years leading up to The Fellowship of the Ring. The story will focus on the search for Gollum before the events that launched the original trilogy.

The film reunites much of the Oscar winning creative team behind the earlier movies. Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and Zane Weiner are producing the project. Walsh and Boyens are also returning to script duties alongside Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou, adapting material based on the works of JRR Tolkien.

Over the last two decades, the six films in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit franchises have generated nearly $6bn worldwide, making Middle Earth one of cinema’s most successful fantasy properties.

Variety also reported that another project set in Tolkien’s universe is already in development. Titled The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past, the film will be written by Philippa Boyens, Peter McGee and television host Stephen Colbert.