Major Lord of the Rings star returning with Ian McKellen's Gandalf in new Gollum movie

Next year, Sméagol star Andy Serkis is directing The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.

The story takes place during The Fellowship of the Ring, but was missing from Peter Jackson's 2001 film adaptation and took place off-screen.

After Bilbo's party, Gandalf sent Aragorn to capture Gollum so the wizard could question him about the ring.

Sir Ian McKellen has already confirmed he's reprising Gandalf, while Viggo Mortensen is expected to be digitally de-aged as Aragorn.

And now the wizard star has let slip that another major Lord of the Rings star will return in his part for the spin-off blockbuster.

Appearing with members of the Lord of the Rings cast at London fan event For the Love of Fantasy, McKellen told the audience: "I hear there's going to be another movie based in Middle-earth, and it's going to start filming in May. It's going to be directed by Gollum, and it's all about Gollum. I'll tell you two secrets about the casting..."

McKellen added: "There's a character in the movie called Frodo, and there's a character in the movie called Gandalf, Apart from that, my lips are sealed!" By the sounds of it, Elijah Wood will be reprising Frodo, having done so previously for The Hobbit trilogy.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum hits cinemas Christmas 2027.