The Hunt for Gollum | Lord of the Rings & Tolkien News - TheOneRing.net Fan Community, since 1999

Dragon Con, Atlanta’s annual gathering of pop culture enthusiasts, is upon us. A Labor Day fixture, Dragon Con celebrates fascinations from science fiction to fantasy, gaming to comics, literature to art, and music to media. The Con attracts roughly 75,000 fans spread across multiple downtown hotels and much of the city’s AmericasMart. It also offers 35 different “tracks”, or mini-conventions. They focus on everything from Anime to Young Adult Literature.

One of Dragon Con’s founding fandoms has focused on J.R.R. Tolkien and the creative passion that his works have inspired. Whether it’s part of the programming now scheduled for D*C’s “High Fantasy” track, or Elvish (etc.) enthusiasm spilling out across the broader fandom, there will be much Middle-earth merriment in this 40^th installment of Atlanta’s Geek-Fest (Nerdi-Gras?)!

Here’s a quick overview of what’s happening for Tolkien fans!

Our Marquee Hobbit: Sean Astin

Here on the 25^th anniversary of Peter Jackson’s Fellowship of the Ring, it’s wonderful to have such an excellent and admirable cast member joining us. Sean will be available for autographs and photo opportunities, and will also be a featured panelist over the course of the Con. One of those panels will focus on his experiences embodying Sam Gamgee. Saturday, 9/5 at 11:30 am in the Hyatt Centennial Ballroom II-IV

Hobbity Home bases:

Staffer deej has got all your answers, plus t-shirts and buttons!

If you simply need some help orienting to the sprawling splendor that is Dragon Con, you can find help here:

The OneRing.net fan table, located on the Exhibit Level of the Hyatt Regency, right across from the Art Show entrance. Find staffers greendragon, deej, and Wee Tanya there, along with buttons, t-shirts, links to some of our favorite purveyors of Middle-earth merchandise, and maybe a few surprises!

The High Fantasy Track Room, on the Lobby Level of the Marriott Marquis, rooms 401-403 (just across the hall from Dragon Con Safety). Staffer Madeye Gamgee also volunteers for the track, and several Tolkien inspired panels will take place there this weekend.

Parties!

An Evening in Bree (photo courtesy of Tim Lenz)

A unique hallmark of Dragon Con is an abundance of fan-forward partying opportunities. The Tolkien fandom will not miss out!

An Evening in Bree: A long-term landmark for partying periannath, Bree is back in all its glory. That includes a high fantasy costume contest (you can fill out entry forms at TheOneRing fan table or the High Fantasy track room – please do SIGN UP IN ADVANCE), a choral performance of special magnificence by the wondrous Elf Choir, and of course dancing! The three featured performers this year are the Brobdingnagian Bards, Landloch’d, and Beth Patterson. Friday, September 4, 8:30 pm in the Courtland Grand Ballroom

Hobbit Drinking Songs: billed as a concert, breakout dancing and partying is an inevitability whenever the Brobdingnagian Bards are involved. Let those furry feet fly! Sunday, September 6, 7:00 pm on the Marriott Atrium level, A 601-602

The Goblin Ball: Hosted once again by our OneRing DJ deej, the theme this year appropriately celebrates the music of the mid-80s and the 40th anniversary of Labyrinth’s Goblin King throwing a ball of his own. The cosplay mashups should be spectacular. Sunday, September 6, 10:00 pm on the Marriott Atrium level, A601-602

Panels!

This is the ten-year mark for the High Fantasy Track at Dragon Con, now the Con’s home for Tolkien content, which always ranges from the playful to the profound. This year’s lineup includes:

Rings of Power Season 3 Speculation. With Prime Video’s latest installment of the Second Age saga now scheduled for a November release, rumors and speculation on what’s in store are swirling. Greendragon will be moderating, with Madeye Gamgee and other close OneRing friends participating, to bring Dragon Con fans up to speed! Friday, September 4, 1:00 pm, Hyatt International South

Sing with the Elf Choir. Another Dragon Con classic, this is less of a musical panel and more of a choral rehearsal as a host of Middle-earth denizens prepare to bring their harmonious offerings to The Evening in Bree. Come and learn your part for two or three staples in the high fantasy musical canon! Friday, September 4, 5:30 pm, Courtland Grand Ballroom

Who Could Resist? A smorgasbord of speculation as panelists consider the corollary to “Who could wield Thor’s hammer”, but through the lens of being able to withstand the power of the Ring. Was Aragorn right about the Ring answering to only one Master? Or is Steve Rogers, Jean-Luc Picard, or Aslan up for the challenge? Saturday, September 5, 1:00 pm, HF Track Room

An Hour with TheOneRing.net. Greendragon, joined by staffers deej and Madeye Gamgee, along with Tolkien Lore Master Willie Jenkins (knewbettadobetta), will unpack as much as we can cover in an hour about what’s coming up for Middle-earth fans, from media to merchandise, publications to parties. We’ve been polishing our palantíri, so expect secrets and rumours! Saturday, September 5, 4:00 pm, Hyatt International North

The Greatest Swordsman. In this tournament-style panel, attendees will get to choose who is the greatest wielder of the blade in all of High Fantasy. After Aragorn, of course. Sunday, September 6, 10:00 am, HF Track Room

Bilbo Baggins – Renaissance Hobbit of Middle-earth. Tolkien scholar, author, and long-time OneRing mellon Constance G. J. Wagner leads a panel conversation about the “bravest little hobbit of them all”. From teacher, mentor, peacemaker, storyteller, and friend, Bilbo’s impact on the history of Arda is extraordinary for such a little fellow in a wide world. Sunday, September 6, 11:30 am, Hyatt Centennial I

Delving Into Dwarves. It’s been a minute since the High Fantasy track considered the Sons and Daughters of Durin. But “khazâd ai-mênu!” The dwarves shall be upon us indeed! We may even figure out just how discourteous Gimli was being in the Extended Edition scene. Sunday, September 6, 4:00 pm, HF Track Room

Too Beautiful to Let Go: The Cost of Creation in Middle-earth. Tolkien content will wrap up for this year’s Dragon Con with a more deeply philosophical conversation around the broad theme of “Subcreation gone wrong”. This panel will consider artifacts of extraordinary beauty, but also with deeply and sweepingly corrupting power, and the where’s and wherefores that had the Professor integrating them into his Legendarium. Monday, September 7, 10:00 am, HF Track Room

Beyond the Panels

Like TheOneRing.net, Dragon Con markets itself as a “by fans, for fans” experience. This leads to one of the most unique and entertaining dynamics of the Con: the near certainty that nerdish enthusiasm will break out in unscheduled, often enduringly viral ways. Dragon Con first-timers may not understand the “Cult of the Marriott Carpet” or “Saint John the Deliverer” (our friends at Geek Orthodox certainly do!), but even newbies should keep a sharp eye out for the exuberance that happens outside of “our regularly scheduled programming”. For Middle-earth fans, that includes:

The Dragon Con Parade, a riotous and colorful celebration of all things nerdish. Open to everyone to watch, with no badges required, the downtown Atlanta crowds swell into the six figures as Superheroes, Troopers, and Spartans (oh, my) travel down Peachtree Street in costumed glory. Tolkien fans have been longtime participants, marching behind the “Arms of Middle-earth” banner. This year, at least 20 of us will be representing the Legendarium we love. Be sure to wave! Saturday, 10:00 am, down Peachtree Street from North Avenue through a U-turn into the Marriott Marquis We’d suggest arriving early to grab a good viewing spot!

The “Passing of the Elves” Procession. A more focused choral ensemble that’s closely connected to the “Sing with the Elf Choir” programming, this group practices particularly elvish music, all dress in elvish attire, and process around the halls and connecting bridges between Dragon Con hotels in their melodious passage toward the West. Lanterns and bells mark their ethereal comings and goings. The Procession typically occurs on Sunday evenings. You can find out more by searching for the Elf Choir on social media platforms.

The Lord of the Rings Fan Club. New this year! TORn is working with our friends at the Fan Club to finalize a series of quests designed especially for members attending Dragon Con. If you’re part of the Club already, stay tuned on the app for announcements! If you’re not, there will also be ways to sign up at the Con! Collect those mathoms and join the fun!

See you in the belly of the beast – Dragon Con may be 40 but we’re all still young at heart!

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This will be our 24th edition of the Bagginses Birthday Bash in Griffith Park. Head to the link below to RSVP and list what you will bring to the party. You can also email me at Garfeimao(at)TheOneRing.net to RSVP if you are not on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/events/1369087481317252/

The party will start at 11:30am on Sunday, September 20, 2026 and will be a potluck sort of party, as usual, so please do mention what you plan to bring so we know what to expect and what holes need filling.

There will be fun and games, including a Dessert Contest for the best Fellowship of the Rings themed cake or cupcakes, or just theme it around 25 (for the 25th anniversary of FOTR). Costumes most welcome, there will be prizes.

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Exciting news – just revealed today at CinemaCon, some information about Hunt for Gollum casting.

Ian McKellen and Kate Winslet confirmed – Winslet’s character is rumoured to be Smeagol’s mother, named here as Marigol. This is the first we’ve heard anything at all about Jamie Dornan – there was no hint of his casting as Strider! Plus, it’s interesting to note that the character is – accurately – here called Strider, not Aragorn; at this point in the history, King Elessar is pretty much only known as Strider.

So Leo Woodall, whom we suspected to be Strider/Aragorn, is in fact a character named Halvard. Is this a member of the Dúnedain? Perhaps based on the leader of the Grey Company, Halbarad? But then, why not just use the name from Tolkien, instead of adjusting it to Halvard? (Could this be to avoid confusion with the name used in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Halbrand?)

And can we assume that the ‘working title’ of The Hunt for Gollum has now become the definite title? So much to think about and discuss!

Release date of Dec 17 2027 was also confirmed. Can’t wait! Expect thoughts and reactions from TORn staffers; and you can join the chat on Discord to share the excitement of this breaking news!

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Last week, as you know, Peter Jackson and Stephen Colbert surprised us all with the revelation that the next Middle-earth movie, to be made after The Hunt for Gollum, will be written by Colbert (together with his son Peter McGee, who is a screenwriter). It has been given the working title The Lord of the Rings: Shadows of the Past.

Though the exact reveal was a surprise, it was long-expected that Tolkien afficionado Colbert would take up some project associated with Middle-earth, once his Late Show comes to an end in May. Word has come to TORn, however, that Shadows of the Past is not the only Tolkien task the mega fan will have on his agenda come the Summer.

Colbert has often demonstrated his deep knowledge of the Professor’s lore and languages. Now we hear he’s going to put those skills to work, ‘re-translating’ the Red Book of Westmarch.

As readers will know, the Red Book is the ‘found manuscript’ which Tolkien created as an imaginary source for all his tales of Arda. Largely written by Bilbo and Frodo, there were also volumes of ‘Translations from the Elvish’ (by Bilbo), additions by writers such as Samwise, and even some records from Merry and Pippin. Further, the marginalia of the Red Book became The Adventures of Tom Bombadil.

The Red Book, as it appears in Peter Jackson’s movies

Just what would this task of ‘re-translation’ be?

The rumours our spies have brought us are unclear as to whether Colbert’s goal is to create a translation of all (or just some) of these works into Elvish – which would be a huge undertaking in and of itself – or whether he will seek to restore the ‘original’ manuscripts, which would require translating different volumes and passages into a variety of tongues of Middle-earth. The latter seems unlikely; Tolkien did not leave us with enough Westron for a translation of Bilbo and Frodo’s writings back to that language to be possible, without creating more vocabulary. Perhaps we should assume, then, that Colbert will be translating to Sindarin and Quenya – and possibly, therefore, only tackling the parts of the legendarium which are known to us as The Silmarillion.

Either way, this is a worthy project for an intellect and passion like Stephen Colbert’s. And – we’d like to suggest to Mr. Colbert that he make this a group project! We know that many fans have deep knowledge of the Professor’s languages; if the Late Show host would like to ‘share the load’, with individuals taking on a chapter each, many hands would make light work of such a gargantuan undertaking.

What do you think? Is such a re-translation even possible? Share your thoughts on our discord!

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Upcoming movie to take fans on an unexpected journey through time in telling the story of Sméagol.

A new Spy Report collaboration with Knight Edge Media brings what looks like a leaked, possibly official, synopsis for the upcoming feature film The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. While we cannot absolutely verify if it’s a “final” version, the story points hinted at align with previous rumors, leaks, casting auditions, and even things Ian Mckellen has said.

TheOneRing.net reached out to WB for comment or confirmation, but they had nothing to share at this time; nor had anyone in New Zealand.

Film Synopsis

Here is the full text as sent to us via spy report. Reminder, you can drop us inside info (or casual info!) to spymaster ~at~ theonering.net

Before the Fellowship, one creature’s obsession holds the key to Middle-earth’s survival — or its demise. In The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, we meet young Smeagol — an outsider drawn to trinkets and mischief — long before The One Ring consumed him and began his tragic descent into the tortured, deceitful creature Gollum. With the ring lost and carried away by Bilbo Baggins, Gollum finds himself compelled to leave his cave in search of it.

Gandalf the Grey calls upon Aragorn, still known as the ranger Strider, to track the elusive creature whose knowledge of the whereabouts of the ring could tip the balance toward the Dark Lord Sauron. Set in the shadowed time between Bilbo’s birthday disappearance and the Fellowship’s formation, this perilous journey through Middle-earth’s darkest corners reveals untold truths, tests the resolve of its future king, and explores the fractured soul and backstory of Gollum, one of Tolkien’s most enigmatic characters.

Directed by original cast member Andy Serkis, produced by Peter Jackson, and written & produced by Fran Walsh and Phillipa Boyens — the creative team behind the Oscar-winning trilogy — this live-action movie bridges the beloved films with new characters, returning heroes, and a deeply engaging origin story that resets the stage for, and changes everything you know about the legendary Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Deconstructing Marketing Language

There’s a lot to unpack here, so staffers Greendragon and Quickbeam spent the second hour of TORN Tuesday analyzing every word. Watch below or on Youtube.

The most apparently surprising part of the synopsis – a confirmation we will be seeing young Sméagol. Is director Andy Serkis inspired by Young Sheldon, or young Anakin from The Phantom Menace, or even the merchandising hit “Baby Yoda” Grogu?

Another interesting thing is the calling out of Aragorn by name, which implies huge boots to fill for some new actor as they recast the role without Viggo Mortensen. Also of note is the inclusion of Fran Walsh, part of the Oscar-winning trifecta accompanying Peter Jackson and Philippa Boyens. They start filming in New Zealand in July for a December 2027 release.

We will have more analysis in the coming days, but what do you think? Join the live daily chat on Discord.

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The Hunt for Gollum

The Grey Pilgrim continues to be the best source of new info on the new LOTR film.

Ian Mckellen visited Stephen Colbert’s Late Show this week for a very fun interview. The newest information he leaked is that filming on the new solo movie begins in…

“July, which is unfortunate, because it’s winter down there in New Zealand, and I’m not sure I want to be out there in the wind and the rain… And yes, I put on the pointy hat and the beard and the nose and the eyebrows and the mustache.”

Andy Serkis is directing the live action prequel, set between The Hobbit and Fellowship of the Ring.

Watch to the end to see Ian Mckellen recite his speech from the Shakespeare character he originated. You can also see Mckellen on Broadway in a new Augmented Reality AR glasses theatre experience called An Ark.

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Where to find Middle-earth fun at Dragon Con 2026

Category: The Hunt for Gollum

Colbert has often demonstrated his deep knowledge of the Professor’s lore and languages. Now we hear he’s going to put those skills to work, ‘re-translating’ the Red Book of Westmarch.

Just what would this task of ‘re-translation’ be?

Film Synopsis

Deconstructing Marketing Language