Kate Winslet to star in next Lord of the Rings film

The British actor will be staying in New Zealand from May to October to shoot her scenes in the upcoming film after director Andy Serkis and producer Peter Jackson spent most of 2025 trying to coax her into signing on for the project, Deadline's Breaking Bax column reports.

The outlet noted that Kate mentioned in an interview with them in 2025 she would be out of the UK for several months in 2026 but refused to disclose the reason why, and sources confirmed it will be due to her casting in The Hunt for Gollum.

The new film will explore the period between the end of The Hobbit trilogy and the beginning of The Lord of the Rings, focusing on the search for Gollum.

Serkis, who portrayed Gollum through motion capture in the original trilogy, is returning to direct and reprise the role.

Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen are expected to return as Frodo Baggins and Gandalf, respectively.

"It hasn't been officially announced, but at a convention last August, Ian sort of let the cat out of the bag," Wood recently told The Times newspaper.

"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. 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."

When asked about McKellen's insistence that no one else should play Gandalf while he's still alive, Wood said he feels exactly the same about Frodo.

"I certainly wouldn't want anybody else to play Frodo either as long as I'm alive and able," he said.

"And I can also recognise 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."

Australian Associated Press