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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey - Full Cast & Crew

• 58   Metascore
• 2 hr 50 mins
• Travel, Horror, Fantasy, Action & Adventure
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Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf the wizard and a group of dwarves seek a dragon's treasure, and encounter a series of incredible obstacles over the course of their epic journey.

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Executive producer, co-producer, assoc. producer, cinematographer, production company, extra casting, art director, supervising art director, set decorator, sound/sound designer, sound mixer, supervising sound editor, sound effects, visual effects supervisor, visual effects, visual effects editor, production designer, first assistant director, unit production manager, post production supervisor, production coordinator, production supervisor, second assistant director, supervising animator, hair styles, consultant/advisor, camera operator, choreographer, second unit director, re-recording mixer, script supervisor, first assistant editor, prosthetic makeup effects, senior visual eff. supervisor, makeup supervisor.

'The Hobbit' Cast & Character Guide: Who's Who In the Middle Earth Prequel Trilogy

Your guide through the Company of Thorin Oakenshield.

The Hobbit was never meant to be part of J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendarium. It was related, certainly; Elrond Half-elven was borrowed from the then-unpublished Silmarillion , and a few bits and bobs from the long history of Middle Earth were alluded to. Still, it was a children’s book that stood on its own until Tolkien fulfilled his publisher’s hopes for a sequel. The Lord of the Rings made The Hobbit into an integral part of Tolkien’s cycle of tales, and its writing necessitated changes to The Hobbit’s text to bring it more fully into the fold. Hollywood’s timing being what it is, Rings made it onto the silver screen first, and was such a runaway success that it meant more changes to The Hobbit when it took its turn in the movies. No longer was it a mostly self-contained children’s story; for film, it had to be a prequel to a great trilogy, ready to offer comparable thrills and set pieces to what came before.

The results were mixed, as was the reception, but the cast of The Hobbit films was as fantastic as the one for Rings . A mix of old and new faces traversed Middle Earth over Peter Jackson ’s prequel trilogy. So for any newcomer to the trilogy, here is a quick guide to the major players:

RELATED: From 'Lord of the Rings' to 'The Hobbit': Every Movie in Peter Jackson's Middle-Earth Saga, Ranked

Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman and Ian Holm)

The hobbit of the title is Bilbo , the “uncle” (technically first and second cousin, once removed either way) of Frodo Baggins of The Lord of the Rings . Bilbo is a well-to-do resident of Hobbiton living a comfortable, homely routine in middle age when the wizard, Gandalf, disrupts everything by pushing him into the role of burglar in a dwarf-quest. Fussy, timid, and unlearned in the arts of war and survival, Bilbo, nevertheless, carries a deeply repressed desire for adventure, and he discovers wells of wit, cunning, and mercy within that make him vital to the mission’s success. For most of the trilogy, Martin Freeman brings his considerable comic charms to the part, as he did in the British version of The Office and as Watson in Sherlock . The late Ian Holm cameos as an elderly Bilbo at the beginning of the first film and the end of the third, tying the trilogy into the opening scenes of The Fellowship of the Ring .

Gandalf the Grey (Sir Ian McKellen)

Olórin was his name in his past in the West that is forgotten. Gandalf, he’s known as to the Men of the North; Mithrandir to the Elves; Tharkûn to the Dwarves; Incánus to the Men of the South; to the East he goes not. The grey pilgrim is the most prominent of the five wizards in stirring the races of Middle Earth to face the evil of Sauron, and his involvement in the dwarves’ quest is part of that larger design. Gandalf is also the most human of the wizards, irascible but full of love and kindness for all the peoples he works to protect. Sir Ian McKellen happily reprised the role of Gandalf from the Rings films, undertaking another epic shooting schedule at age 71 when filming began. Now in his 80s, McKellen has recently popped up in the big-screen version of Cats and as an aged Prince Hamlet at the Theatre Royal, Windsor.

Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage)

Gandalf may have the greater defense of Middle Earth in mind, but the thirteen dwarves who mount the quest are looking to reclaim their treasure and their homeland. Leading them is Thorin Oakenshield, by rights, King of Durin’s Folk in Erebor, displaced by the dragon Smaug. Though he led his people in exile into a sustainable life, Thorin burns with longing for the mountain that was theirs. Haughty, hasty, and somewhat comic in the book, Thorin was made into a far more brooding figure in the films, played with appropriate intensity by Richard Armitage . The Hobbit brought Armitage international attention, but he had already made a mark in British film and television through roles in Sparkhouse and the 2006 BBC series, Robin Hood .

Balin (Ken Stott)

It wasn’t just Thorin who lost his place as a figure of fun on the way to the screen. The whole company of dwarves is slightly ridiculous in the book, very much in need of Bilbo’s unexpected practicality and guidance. Balin, one of the few dwarves besides Thorin to get some characterization, has an earlier appreciation for the hobbit’s talent than most of the others, so it seems appropriate that he saw one of the larger expansions on his role for the films. As played by Ken Stott , Balin is the eldest of the dwarves, the right hand of Thorin, and a kind, grandfatherly presence in the company. The Hobbit wasn’t Stott’s first time facing fantasy or action in films; he put in appearances in the 2004 King Arthur and The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian . But the actor is probably most well-known for his starring role as DI John Rebus in ITV's Rebus .

Kili (Aidan Turner)

Without wife or child, Thorin’s heirs are Fili and Kili, the sons of his sister. In the book, the two are very much a set, with the same blue cloaks, yellow beard, and keen eyesight. While they don’t look alike on film, they’re still played as a like-minded duo in An Unexpected Journey . But in the last two films, Kili falls in love with the elf, Tauriel, and she returns the attraction. This was among the reasons that actor Aidan Turner ’s dwarf make-up was minimal compared to the others; too extreme a transformation would mask Turner’s good looks, which might take away from the romance. Turner is known for playing Ross Poldark in BBC's Poldark giving one of TV's most swoon-worthy performances .

Thranduil (Lee Pace)

If the dwarves became nobler on film, the Wood-elves of Mirkwood were made much less likable. While they do hinder the quest in the book, they are still elves, and “that is Good People” according to Tolkien. Their king Thranduil, while mistrustful of dwarves from their long rivalry, holds them no particular grudge and comes off as a more reasonable ruler than Thorin. The Thranduil of the films is a far colder and morally ambiguous figure, the deserving subject of Thorin’s scorn for his failure to aid the dwarves when Smaug first came. Actor Lee Pace was a fan of The Hobbit since childhood and took care to try and give a respectful, coherent performance. This year, Pace jumped into sci-fi with Apple TV's Foundation .

Legolas (Orlando Bloom)

Thranduil is only ever called Elvenking in The Hobbit book; he doesn’t get a name until his son Legolas, never mentioned in The Hobbit , turns up to the Council of Elrond in The Fellowship of the Ring . Legolas’s spectacular martial feats as part of the fellowship became a fan favorite of the Rings films, and he was the only member of the fellowship besides Gandalf who could plausibly play a major role in the Hobbit movies. Orlando Bloom was back in the stunt harness and given more to play through his attraction to Tauriel and his strained relationship with Thranduil. Though I imagine it had to be a little awkward playing father-son scenes with a “father” two years Bloom’s junior. Bloom also starred in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and recently starred in the Amazon Prime Video series, Carnival Row .

Tauriel (Evangeline Lily)

Tauriel doesn’t exist in the book, or in any of Tolkien’s writing. She was created for The Hobbit films to provide a prominent female character. Captain of the border guard of Mirkwood, Tauriel is a brave and able warrior, young for an elf (only 600 years old), and reckless. The attraction she inspires in Legolas displeases his father, but Tauriel’s unconsummated romance with a dwarf doesn’t make him any happier. Alas, there’s no happiness for Tauriel herself by the trilogy’s end either. Her portrayer, Evangeline Lily , came to prominence through TV’s Lost . After being a part of an infamous love triangle in that show, Lily specifically requested no such complications for her part in The Hobbit . That wish was granted – until pick-up shooting following the move from two films to three.

Radagast the Brown (Sylvester McCoy)

One of the five wizards, Radagast is only mentioned in the book, going on to make a brief appearance as Saruman’s unwitting dupe in The Fellowship of the Ring before vanishing from the story. On film, Radagast never turned up for Rings , but made a prominent showing in all three Hobbit films as a fidgety, bumbling, but prescient hero continually underestimated by Saruman. Comedian Sylvester McCoy , the seventh Doctor Who , brings a wonderful eccentricity to the part.

Bard (Luke Evans)

Some characters in The Hobbit were altered and expanded from the page to the screen, but the character of Bard was given a brand new sense of significance in the films; after all, he doesn’t do much more in the book than turn up to kill the dragon and sort out the ruined Lake-town. The film Bard is pivotal to the dwarves’ entry into Lake-town, and his persistent voice of reason makes him enemies with Thorin and some of his own people. He’s also made a family man, giving Lake-town some human characterization. After playing Bard, Luke Evans would make a similarly intense turn as Dracula in Dracula Untold , and later take over the part of Gaston for the Beauty and the Beast live-action remake.

Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch)

There would be no quest, no Hobbit , and no Rings had Smaug, greatest of dragons in his age, not descended on Erebor from the North and stolen the Dwarf-kingdom from Thorin’s kin. The fire-drake hoarded the vast wealth of the dwarves inside their mountain halls, snaking and sleeping through the gold as his nest. Bilbo’s success in penetrating his horde so vexes Smaug that he rushes off to take vengeance upon the Lake-town he guesses aided in the burglary, and there meets his doom. The confrontation between Bilbo and Smaug is a highlight of the second Hobbit film, and playing opposite Martin Freeman is none other than his Sherlock Holmes , Benedict Cumberbatch . Like Andy Serkis before him, Cumberbatch provided motion capture for his Middle Earth character, though not even the best actor can quite match the proportions of a dragon the size of two jumbo jets. You can see Cumberbatch this month as he reprises his role of Dr. Strange in Spider-Man: No Way Home .

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

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Watch The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey with a subscription on Max, rent on Fandango at Home, Prime Video, or buy on Fandango at Home, Prime Video.

What to Know

Peter Jackson's return to Middle-earth is an earnest, visually resplendent trip, but the film's deliberate pace robs the material of some of its majesty.

Critics Reviews

Audience reviews, cast & crew.

Peter Jackson

Ian McKellen

Martin Freeman

Bilbo Baggins

Richard Armitage

Thorin Oakenshield

Graham McTavish

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (also known as The Hobbit - Part 1 ), is the first film adapted from J.R.R. Tolkien 's book entitled The Hobbit . Both parts are directed by Peter Jackson who previously directed The Lord of the Rings Trilogy , and will also feature actors from The Lord of the Rings . It is set for release on December 14th 2012.

• 3 Development
• 6.2 Video Games
• 7 References
• 8 External Links

Synopsis [ ]

According to a press release from Warner Bros. Pictures: [1] The adventure follows the journey of title character Bilbo Baggins, who is swept into an epic quest to reclaim the lost Dwarf Kingdom of Erebor from the fearsome dragon Smaug. Approached out of the blue by the wizard Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo finds himself joining a company of thirteen dwarves led by the legendary warrior, Thorin Oakenshield. Their journey will take them into the Wild; through treacherous lands swarming with Goblins and Orcs, deadly Wargs and Giant Spiders, Shapeshifters and Sorcerers. Although their goal lies to the East and the wastelands of the Lonely Mountain first they must escape the goblin tunnels, where Bilbo meets the creature that will change his life forever…Gollum. Here, alone with Gollum, on the shores of an underground lake, the unassuming Bilbo Baggins not only discovers depths of guile and courage that surprise even him, he also gains possession of Gollum’s “precious” ring that holds unexpected and useful qualities … A simple, gold ring that is tied to the fate of all Middle-earth in ways Bilbo cannot begin to know.

• Ian Holm as Old Bilbo Baggins
• Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey
• Richard Armitage as Thorin II Oakenshield
• Graham McTavish as Dwalin
• Ken Scott as Balin
• Aiden Turner as Kíli
• Dean O'Gorman as Fíli
• Mark Hadlow as Dori
• Jed Brophy as Nori
• Adam Brown as Ori
• John Callen as Óin
• Peter Hambleton as Glóin
• William Kircher as Bifur
• James Nesbitt as Bofur
• Stephen Hunter as Bombur
• Andy Serkis as Gollum
• Hugo Weaving as Elrond
• Billy Connoly as Dáin II Ironfoot
• Barry Humphries as the Great Goblin
• Cate Blanchett as Galadriel
• Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins
• Jeffrey Thomas as Thrór
• Mike Mizrahi as Thráin II
• Conan Stevens as Azog
• Brett McKenzie as Lindir

Development [ ]

Coming Soon

Filming [ ]

Release [ ], marketing [ ].

On 16th December 2011, Warner Bros. Consumer Products and Lego announced the development of figures and play sets based upon the upcoming adaptations of The Hobbit as well as The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. The Launch of the LEGO The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey collection is scheduled to coincide with the release of the first part of the film in December 2012.

Video Games [ ]

Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment now has the right to develop a video game based upon The Hobbit after Electronic Arts' licence expired in 2008. And they are planning a game for the first part of the films release in December 2012, but whether it ties in with the film is currently unknown.

References [ ]

• ↑ New Warner Bros. press release and a casting mystery

External Links [ ]

• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Official Website
• The Hobbit Official Studio Blog
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey at The Lord of the Rings Wiki
• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey at IMDB

MPAA Rating

The hobbit: an unexpected journey (2012), directed by peter jackson / fran walsh / carolynne cunningham / zane weiner.

• AllMovie Rating 7
• User Ratings ( 0 )
• Your Rating
• Overview ↓
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Synopsis by Jason Buchanan

Characteristics, related movies.

The Best Lord of the Rings Characters Who Aren't in the Movies, Ranked

The Lord of the Rings franchise is back and looking to take over Hollywood once more in the next several years. Beginning with a new Andy Serkis-directed film, The Hunt for Gollum , in 2026, Warner Bros. is looking to produce multiple new spinoff movies set within J.R.R. Tolkien's iconic fantasy world.

There are several avenues that The Lord of the Rings can take in its upcoming movies, including the exploration of never-before-seen characters. Several characters from Tolkien's books, including some from his anthologies and his unfinished stories, have never been adapted to film before.

Fredegar "Fatty" Bolger Was An Important Help In The Shire

Viggo mortensen's perfect aragorn casting goes deeper than lord of the rings fans realize.

Most fans are familiar with the four major Hobbits in The Lord of the Rings trilogy: Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, and Peregrine Took. However, those who have exclusively watched the movies wouldn't be aware that there was a fifth Hobbit who played a significant if smaller role in the salvation of Middle-earth.

In Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring , Fredegar "Fatty" Bolger is a Hobbit living in the Shire to whom Frodo reveals that he has come into possession of the One Ring. Fatty very nearly accompanies the four main Hobbits into the Old Forest but turns back out of fear. Nevertheless, he remains in the Shire to control the gossip surrounding Frodo's departure. Eventually, he helps lead a rebellion against Saruman's forces during the Scouring of the Shire.

Farmer Maggot And His Family's Role Is Significantly Reduced

The lord of the rings' greatest casting decision has a wild backstory.

Farmer Maggot is a character briefly seen in The Fellowship of the Ring , but whose role was reduced far below what it was in the books. His farm lies at the edge of the Shire and often falls victim to the antics of Merry and Pippin, who enjoy stealing his crops for snacks.

In the book, Maggot and his family host Frodo and his companions as they are about to enter the Old Forest. Maggot's family members are entirely cut from the movie, though they, specifically Mrs. Maggot, have a pleasant conversation with the Hobbit adventurers in the book before sending them on their way.

The Orc Chieftain Is Swapped With A Cave Troll In Moria

When the Fellowship delves into the Mines of Moria, they are confronted with numerous enemies who nearly make their escape impossible. In the original book, the group is forced to face a tremendous Orc chieftain, who is eventually defeated as the Fellowship flees.

In Peter Jackson's Fellowship of the Ring , the Orc chieftain is replaced with a humongous cave troll, who forces its way into the chamber and attacks the group as they take refuge therein. This made for a more cinematic villain for the Fellowship to face rather than another Orc.

Morgoth Is An Integral Part Of Middle-Earth Lore

Morgoth is a member of the Valar, a race of godlike creatures who rule high above the mortals of Middle-earth, or Arda as it is also known. Wanting to rule Arda for himself, Morgoth rebelled against the Valar and his creator, Ilúvatar, to become the first Dark Lord. In the First Age and the ages before, Morgoth led his followers in bold attempts to turn Arda into a chaotic, formless void, but was defeated in the War of Wrath and banished from Middle-earth.

Since the history of Morgoth and his rebellion comes long before the events of The Lord of the Rings , the Dark Lord is not present in the films. Nevertheless, his presence is still greatly felt in the Third Age, as his general, Sauron, continues to wreak havoc in Middle-earth.

Elrohir And Elladan Are The Sons Of Elrond

Elrohir and Elladan are the twin sons of the Elven leader Elrond , who holds a council in Rivendell to form the Fellowship of the Ring. The two half-elves were noble warriors and good friends of Aragorn, the future king who went on to marry their younger sister Arwen. During the War of the Ring, Elrohir and Elladan valiantly fought alongside Aragorn at the Battles of Pelennor Fields and the Black Gate.

Although Arwen is present and prominent in Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy, her brothers are absent from the films. However, Elrhoir and Elladan do appear in The Lord of the Rings: The War in the North , a video game depicting the War for the Ring. The game is not officially considered canon and therefore neither are Elrhoir and Elladan.

The Barrow-Wight Encounter Is Left Out Of The Films

The lord of the rings has a major continuity problem that must be fixed.

Barrow-wights are dark and vengeful spirits that typically live in mysterious places devoid of light. Frodo Baggins and his companions are captured by a Barrow-wight while passing through the Barrow-downs on their way to Rivendell. It is only through the help of the mysterious traveler Tom Bombadil that Frodo and his friends are freed.

Because Bombadil was cut from The Fellowship of the Ring , it stands to reason that the Barrow-wight also had to be removed from the final product. Although none of the evil creatures appear in the Lord of the Rings movies, they are frequently depicted as enemies in the franchise's video game offerings.

Goldberry Is The Enchanting Wife Of Tom Bombadil

Goldberry is a mysterious and enchanting woman whom Frodo Baggins and his Hobbit companions encounter as they journey through the Old Forest outside Buckland. She is one of the forest folk and the wife of the enigmatic Tom Bombadil, who invites the Hobbits into their home as a reprieve from their restless wanderings.

The entire Bombadil sequence is missing from The Fellowship of the Ring , leaving Goldberry out of the movie entirely. Nevertheless, Khraniteli , a recently resurfaced Russian television play adaptation of the story includes the sequence, with actress Regina Lialeikite playing the role of Goldberry therein.

Glorfindel Appears In The Movies--But Never Speaks

Glorfindel is a noble Elf who is known for his tremendous fighting ability. Interestingly, author J.R.R. Tolkien accidentally included two Elves named Glorfindel in his writings, with one appearing in the First Age and another in the Third. Tolkien's error created a more powerful Elf when the author merged the two characters, explaining that the original Glorfindel was resurrected by the Maiar after his death. It is he who first guides the Hobbits to Rivendell in the original book.

While Glorfindel technically appears in the background of several scenes of Return of the King , his role in the story is mostly taken over by Arwen. Jarl Benzon portrays the Elf, though he is only identified as such in the credits and not in the actual movie itself. As a result, the films miss out on the rich history that Glorfindel brings to Middle-earth mythology.

The Blue Wizards Never Physically Appear In The Books

How the fellowship originally planned to enter mordor in the lord of the rings.

The Blue Wizards were sent to Middle-earth with Gandalf, Saruman, and Radagast to stop the rise of dark forces that wanted to bring about chaos and destruction. Believed to be named Alatar and Pallando (though these names have been disputed), the Blue Wizards were sent to the southeast to fight Sauron's forces, though it is unclear whether or not they succeeded or were corrupted in the process.

The Blue Wizards have always been a mysterious footnote in Tolkien lore. Since they never appear in the events of The Lord of the Rings , the rights to the characters do not fall under Warner Bros.'s jurisdiction, making it necessary that they not appear in the films. Nevertheless, Gandalf does recognize their existence in The Hobbit .

Tom Bombadil Is Peter Jackson's Most Notorious Exemption

Tom Bombadil is one of the most mysterious characters in Tolkien lore. He encounters Frodo Baggins and his companions at the beginning of their journey in the Old Forest. He takes the group into his home for some time, where they are enchanted by his family and household. He even helps save them from a Barrow-wight later on in their adventure.

Many fans were surprised that the Bombadil encounter is completely cut from Peter Jackson's adaptation, with the character not so much as named in the films themselves. Nevertheless, fan lore suggests that Tom Bombadil was cast for The Fellowship of the Ring and that his scenes were even shot before eventually being cut from the final film. Even so, these rumors are unproven and will forever remain legendary.

The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings is a series of epic fantasy adventure films and television series based on J. R. R. Tolkien's novels. The films follow the adventures of humans, elves, dwarves, hobbits and more in Middle-earth.

Created by J.R.R. Tolkien

First Film The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring

Latest Film The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies

Upcoming Films The Lord of The Rings: The War of The Rohirrim

First TV Show The Lord of the Rings The Rings of Power

Latest TV Show The Lord of the Rings The Rings of Power

First Episode Air Date September 1, 2022

Cast Charlie Vickers, Liv Tyler, Hugo Weaving, Sean Astin, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Sean Bean, Andy Serkis, Richard Armitage, Martin Freeman, Cate Blanchett, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Morfydd Clark, Billy Boyd, Orlando Bloom, Viggo Mortensen, Miranda Otto, John Rhys-Davies, Dominic Monaghan

Character(s) Sauron, Gollum

Video Game(s) The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of The Rings: Battle For Middle-Earth 2, The Lord of the Rings: The Third Age, The Lord Of The Rings: Battle For Middle-Earth, LEGO Lord of the Rings , Lord of the Rings Online, The Lord Of The Rings: Gollum, The Lord of the Rings: War in the North

Genre Action-Adventure, Fantasy

Where to Stream Max, Hulu, Prime Video

Screen Rant

Lord of the rings' gollum prequel can bring back the hobbit character lotr ignored.

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How To Read J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord Of The Rings Books In Order: Chronological & Release Date

George r.r. martin's lotr criticism misses the point of gandalf's death, lord of the rings extended editions: 10 most important new scenes and how they change the story.

• Andy Serkis returns to direct and star in The Hunt for Gollum, focusing on Gollum's perspective in a new Lord of the Rings movie.
• The film will occur early on in the events of The Fellowship of the Ring and could feature Lee Pace's Thranduil from The Hobbit movies.
• Thranduil was busy defending Mirkwood from Sauron's forces during the events of The Lord of the Rings, not mentioned in Peter Jackson's trilogy.

The new Lord of the Rings movie, The Hunt for Gollum , can bring back a pivotal character from The Hobbit movies. Warner Bros. has announced the new film as the first in their latest slate of Lord of the Rings movies, hoping to expand on their franchise after years away. Andy Serkis, who gave an iconic performance to Gollum in Peter Jackson's original trilogy, will return as the film's director and star. The Hunt for Gollum will be shown primarily from Gollum's perspective rather than the likes of Aragorn and Gandalf, who should also appear.

The Hunt for Gollum is planned for 2026. In the meantime, The Rings of Power returns for season 2 in late 2024, and The War of the Rohirrim will be released in theaters on December 13.

There are limited plot details regarding The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum so far, but inferences can be made based on events from the books. In the Lord of the Rings chronology, The Hobbit takes place around the year 2941. The beginning of The Fellowship of the Ring is roughly 60 years later, in the year 3001. However, Frodo's quest to Rivendell doesn't happen in the books until 3018. The events of The Hunt for Gollum should take place between 3009 and 3017 and should provide some context for one particular character from The Hobbit .

J.R.R. Tolkien wrote more than just The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, but his Middle-earth books weren't released in chronological order.

The Hunt For Gollum Can Bring Back Lee Pace's Thranduil From The Hobbit Movies

Aragorn captures gollum and brings him to thranduil in mirkwood.

Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy aren't the best Lord of the Rings movies , but one aspect they nailed was the casting of Lee Pace as Thranduil, also known as the Elvenking in the original Hobbit book. Thranduil is the ruler of the Woodland Realm, a kingdom in Mirkwood, and is the father of Legolas. Despite being an immortal ruler who commands a significant force and whose son is deeply involved in the conflict of the War of the Ring, Thranduil never makes an appearance in The Lord of the Rings movies .

In the Appendices of The Return of the King , the text The Hunt for Gollum is based on , Gandalf sends Aragorn to capture Gollum. After eight years of searching, Aragorn captures Gollum and brings him to Thranduil in Mirkwood for interrogation. Subsequently, Gollum escapes, and Legolas travels to Rivendell to report this matter to the Council of Elrond. Since this is skipped over in The Fellowship of the Ring movie, The Hunt for Gollum could see Lee Pace reprise the role, filling in some gaps.

Since starring in The Hobbit movies, Lee Pace has had a small role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe and, most notably, stars in the Apple TV+ series Foundation . In the sci-fi space opera series, he plays Emperor Cleon, channeling some of his similar posh elegance from the Thranduil role. He's an excellent actor, and it would be fantastic to see him return to the world of Lord of the Rings . Casting outside of Andy Serkis is currently unknown, but it seems like the film will be in continuity with Peter Jackson's movies, therefore retaining many of the same actors as possible.

What Was Thranduil Doing During The Lord Of The Rings?

Thranduil was busy defending mirkwood from sauron's forces in dol guldur.

To clarify, Thranduil wasn't omitted from Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings movies; he's also not prevalent in the books and is only referred to occasionally. The films depict Sauron's force of Orcs from Mordor and Saruman's force from Isengard as being the two primary fronts, but The War of the Ring spread further across Middle-Earth in ways that aren't mentioned in Peter Jackson's trilogy. While the fighting occurred in Gondor and Rohan, Mirkwood was also being attacked by Sauron's forces , keeping Thranduil occupied.

The War of the Ring spread further across Middle-Earth in ways that aren't mentioned in Peter Jackson's trilogy

The Hobbit movies explore some tangents that aren't from the original text, such as Gandalf's mission to Dol Guldur to explore the threat of the necromancer. While this isn't directly from The Hobbit , Gandalf explains in The Lord of the Rings that those events did actually occur, with The White Council attacking Dol Guldur around the time of Bilbo's quest. However, Sauron later reoccupied the stronghold, using it as an outpost in Mirkwood to launch assaults on Thranduil and also Lórien, which is defended by Galadriel and Celeborn.

Could Legolas Appear In The Hunt For Gollum Too?

Legolas could feasibly be in mirkwood at the time, but he wouldn't serve any narrative purpose.

Legolas's appearance in The Hobbit was a strange and divisive choice, given that he has no history written before The Fellowship of the Ring , aside from being Thranduil's son and the prince of the Woodland Realm. However, in both The Hobbit and The Hunt for Gollum , it's not an impossible stretch of the imagination to think he would be at Mirkwood with his father. There's no distinct narrative purpose for him to be in the movie, but given Warner Bros.'s desire to franchise Lord of the Rings , it's certainly not impossible that Legolas could be in The Hunt for Gollum .

The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings is a multimedia franchise consisting of several movies and a TV show released by Amazon titled The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The franchise is based on J.R.R. Tolkien's book series that began in 1954 with The Fellowship of the Ring. The Lord of the Rings saw mainstream popularity with Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies.

Lord of the Rings Runtime Explained: Extended Edition Vs. Theatrical

Given their epic scale, The Lord of the Rings ( LOTR ) films appropriately gargantuan runtimes especially when watching the beloved extended versions of the movies. 

The fan-favorite trilogy of fantasy films from director Peter Jackson took J.R.R. Tolkien's groundbreaking narrative epic and put it to screen, telling the tale of Frodo Baggins, an unsuspecting hobbit who is thrust from his humble home of the Shire on a continent-spanning adventure to save the world. 

Jackson's LOTR saga includes three mainline films (as well as three Hobbit movies) that, just like the novels they are based on, take their time to tackle every minute detail, character, and conflict found in Tolkien's Middle Earth. 

How Long Are the Lord of the Rings Movies?

When it comes to looking at The Lord of the Rings movie runtimes, there are two different versions of the films to look at. 

First, is the theatrical cut of each movie which follows the movies exactly as they played in theaters in 2001, 2002, and 2003. 

Then, there is the super-sized extended cut of the trilogy which was introduced as a part of the film's Blu-ray release in 2011. The extended cuts add new scenes and plenty of dialogue to bring even more context to Tolkien's fantasy world.

Most modern physical releases of the films include both the theatrical and extended editions of the movies and digital versions of both can be purchased from most digital storefronts (i.e., Amazon, YouTube, and Apple TV). 

Below is the length of the theatrical cuts of the Lord of the Rings movies:

• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) - 178 minutes (2 hours 58 minutes)
• The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) - 179 minutes (2 hours 59 minutes)
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) - 200 minutes  (3 hours 20 minutes)

The total runtime for the Lord of the Rings theatrical trilogy is 557 minutes (9 hours 17 minutes).

Next is a list of the extended cuts runtimes for comparison:

• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001) - 208 minutes (3 hours 28 minutes)
• The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002) - 223 minutes  (3 hours 43 minutes)
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) - 251 minutes (4 hours 11 minutes)

The total runtime for the Lord of the Rings extended cuts is 682 minutes (11 hours 22 minutes).

How Long Are the Hobbit Movies?

Peter Jackson's series of Hobbit movies (based on the J.R.R. Tolkien prequel novel of the same name) sport similarly lengthy runtimes, which are escalated even further with extended cuts of their own. 

The extended editions of the Hobbit trilogy (like The Lord of the Rings before it) were released alongside the Blu-ray versions of each Hobbit film. 

Below is a full list of The Hobbit films and their theatrical runtimes:

• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) - 169 minutes (2 hours 49 minutes)
• The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) - 161 minutes (2 hours 41 minutes)
• The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014) - 164 minutes (2 hours 44 minutes)

The total runtime of the Hobbit theatrical cuts is 494 minutes (8 hours 14 minutes).

Next is a list of the same movies with their extended cuts:

• The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) - 182 minutes (3 hours 2 minutes)
• The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) - 186 minutes (3 hours 6 minutes)

The total runtime for the Hobbit extended cut trilogy is 532 minutes (8 hours 52 minutes).

The Lord of the Rings and Hobbit films are streaming on Max in the U.S.

Read more about Lord of the Rings:

Is 2025's Lord of the Rings Movie With Tom Holland Real or Fake? New Speculation Explained

Rings of Power Season 2: Release, Cast, and Everything We Know

Is Rings of Power Season 2 the Only Lord of the Rings Project In Development?

Is a Smeagol Movie Releasing In 2025? Andy Serkis Return Speculation Explained

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The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

Lee pace: thranduil, photos .

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Actor Bernard Hill, of ‘Titanic’ and ‘Lord of the Rings,’ has died at 79

Actor Bernard Hill arrives for the U.K. Premiere of “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey” at the Odeon Leicester Square, in London, Dec. 12, 2012. Hill, who delivered a rousing battle cry before leading his people into battle in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and went down with the ship as captain in “Titanic,” has died. Hill, 79, died Sunday morning, May 5, 2024, agent Lou Coulson said. (Dominic Lipinski/PA via AP)

Actor Bernard Hill arrives for the U.K. Premiere of “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” at the Odeon Leicester Square, in London, Dec. 12, 2012. Hill, who delivered a rousing battle cry before leading his people into battle in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and went down with the ship as captain in “Titanic,” has died. Hill, 79, died Sunday morning, May 5, 2024, agent Lou Coulson said. (Dominic Lipinski/PA via AP)

Actor Bernard Hill at the Tobacco Dock on Oct. 12 2001, in London, for the after show party of the world premiere of “Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.” Hill, who delivered a rousing battle cry before leading his people into battle in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and went down with the ship as captain in “Titanic,” has died. Hill, 79, died Sunday morning, May 5, 2024, agent Lou Coulson said. (William Conran/PA via AP)

Actor Bernard Hill arrives for the World Premiere of “Titanic 3D,” at the Royal Albert Hall, in London, July 5, 2006. Hill, who delivered a rousing battle cry before leading his people into battle in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and went down with the ship as captain in “Titanic,” has died. Hill, 79, died Sunday morning, May 5, 2024, agent Lou Coulson said. (Ian West/PA via AP)

Actor Bernard Hill arrives for the TV BAFTA’s, at the Grosvenor House Hotel in central London, on July 5, 2006. Hill, who delivered a rousing battle cry before leading his people into battle in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and went down with the ship as captain in “Titanic,” has died. Hill, 79, died Sunday morning, May 5, 2024, agent Lou Coulson said. (Yui Mok/PA via AP)

Actors Bernard Hill, left, and Bill Paterson attend the U.K. premiere of the London Children’s Film Festival screening, “Chicken Little,” at the Barbican Cinema, in central London, Sept. 11, 2005. Hill, who delivered a rousing battle cry before leading his people into battle in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and went down with the ship as captain in “Titanic,” has died. Hill, 79, died Sunday morning, May 5, 2024, agent Lou Coulson said. (Ian West/PA via AP)

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LONDON (AP) — Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” and went down with the ship as the captain in “Titanic,” has died.

Hill, 79, passed away Sunday morning, agent Lou Coulson said.

Hill joined “The Lord Of The Rings” franchise in the second film of the trilogy, 2002’s “The Two Towers,” as Théoden, King of Rohan. The following year, he reprised the role in “Return of the King,” a movie that won 11 Oscars.

In one of the film’s most memorable scenes, Hill’s character fires up his overmatched forces by delivering a battle cry on horseback that sends his troops thundering downhill toward the enemy and his own imminent death.

“Arise, arise, riders of Théoden!” Hill hollers. “Spears shall be shaken, shields shall be splintered! A sword day, a red day, ere the sun rises! Ride now! Ride now! Ride! Ride for ruin and the world’s ending! Death! Death! Death!”

In “Titanic,” Hill played Captain Edward Smith, one of the only characters based on a real person in the 1997 tragic romance starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. The film also won 11 Academy Awards.

As the doomed ship takes on water, Hill’s character silently retreats to the wheelhouse. As the cabin groans under the pressure of the waves, he takes a final breath and grabs the wheel as water bursts through the windows.

Hill first made a name for himself as Yosser Hughes in “Boys From the Blackstuff,” a 1982 British TV miniseries about five unemployed men.

He was nominated for an award in 1983 from the British Academy of Film and Television Arts for the role, and the show won the BAFTA for best drama series.

His death came the same day the second series of the BBC drama “The Responder” was to air, in which he played the father of the show’s star, Martin Freeman.

“Bernard Hill blazed a trail across the screen, and his long-lasting career filled with iconic and remarkable roles is a testament to his incredible talent, said Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama. “Our thoughts are with his loved ones at this sad time.”