Elijah Wood hints at return as Frodo in upcoming 'The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum'

Hollywood actor Elijah Wood is teasing his potential return as Frodo Baggins in the upcoming Andy Serkis-directed feature 'The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum'. The actor has neither confirmed nor denied the status of his potential return, but said that he wouldn't want anyone else to take up the mantle as long as he is "alive and able" to play the role.The actor acknowledged co-star Ian McKellen teasing details about the forthcoming movie 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 sort 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 mentioned, "It's always a little nerve-racking 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, thrilling. There is a genuine feeling of getting the band back together".The film is set for release in late 2027, and tells the story of what happened between the end of 'The Hobbit' prequel trilogy and the beginning of 'The Lord of the Rings'.When told about Ian McKellen's statement about him not allowing anyone else to play Gandalf, Elijah said, "Well, no, and I totally get that. I certainly wouldn't want anybody 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 stratosphere of stardom as he took on the lead role of Frodo, the protagonist of J. R. R. Tolkien's books who is charged with a noble quest to save Middle-earth.