Orlando Bloom, well-known for playing Legolas in the Lord of the Rings films, has shown a desire to rejoin the cast. This news comes soon after Ian McKellen commented that he would like to play Gandalf again.
Orlando Bloom Wants To Return For The New Lord of the Rings Film Franchise
Orlando Bloom. Image Credit: New Line Cinema
The iconic Lord of the Rings franchise is making a return to the big screen, with exciting news about familiar characters and actors potentially reprising their roles. Among them is Orlando Bloom, who played the beloved Elven warrior Legolas in the original Lord of the Rings trilogy and The Hobbit series. The upcoming film, Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, directed by Andy Serkis, is shaping up to be the gateway for Bloom’s return to Middle-earth.
Although details are still emerging, Bloom has expressed his openness to returning to the role under specific conditions. His willingness largely depends on Peter Jackson’s involvement, who played a pivotal role in launching Bloom’s acting career. Jackson, who directed the original Lord of the Rings trilogy, is now set to produce The Hunt for Gollum.
Bloom made it clear in a recent interview with Variety that as long as Jackson is part of the project, he would be eager to return. While Bloom acknowledged uncertainty around how exactly a return would be feasible, he hinted that advancements in technology, particularly AI, could play a significant role in bringing his character back to life.
In the interview, Bloom reflected on the significance of the franchise in his career, stating, “Oh, man, those things are amazing. Yeah. I don’t know how they’d do it. I guess with AI you can do anything these days. But, if Pete [Peter Jackson] says jump, I say, ‘how high?’ I mean, he started my whole career.” This quote reveals not only his deep appreciation for Jackson but also his recognition of the potential for technology to open up new possibilities for actors.
AI and digital technology have increasingly been used in filmmaking to enhance visual effects, including de-aging characters and resurrecting actors for certain roles. Bloom mentioned that during a conversation with Serkis, the latter had alluded to the potential of AI technology for the upcoming film. Although Bloom expressed surprise at the idea, he seemed open to the possibilities, noting that it was a magical period in his life and that returning to such a role had no downside.
“I really don’t know what [they are planning]. I did speak to Andy [Serkis] and he did say they were thinking about how to do things. I was like, ‘How would that even work?’ And he was like, ‘Well, AI!’ and I was like, ‘Oh, OK!’” Bloom added, further emphasizing the role of AI in making his potential return possible.
The use of advanced visual effects, including AI and deepfake technology, has already been employed in recent productions to either de-age characters or bring back actors who have passed away. In the case of Legolas, who is an ageless Elf, the use of AI could help bring the character back in a way that maintains his youthful appearance. While the specifics remain unknown, it seems that both Serkis and Jackson are exploring how to push the limits of technology without sacrificing artistic integrity.
Earlier, Ian McKellen Shared The Same Excitement Of Returning
Ian McKellen. Image Credit: New Line Cinema
Not only Bloom, but other actors from the original series have expressed interest in returning to Middle-earth. Earlier this month, legendary actor Ian McKellen, who portrayed Gandalf in the original trilogy, revealed his enthusiasm for reprising his iconic role.
McKellen shared with The Big Issue magazine that he had been informed of future Lord of the Rings films and that Gandalf would be part of the story. He mentioned, “I’ve just been told there are going to be more films and Gandalf will be involved and they hope that I’ll be playing him. When? I don’t know. What the script is? It’s not written yet. So they better be quick!“
The new series, which will begin with The Hunt for Gollum, is expected to premiere in 2026. Andy Serkis, who is both directing the film and reprising his iconic role as Gollum/Smeagol, is working alongside original franchise director Peter Jackson. The film marks the start of a new live-action Lord of the Rings series, currently in development at Warner Bros., with Jackson’s longtime partners Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens also onboard as producers.
