Orlando Bloom Would "Hate" to See Anyone Else Play Legolas in THE HUNT FOR GOLLUM

Even though The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is moving forward without him, Orlando Bloom isn’t ready to hand over his bow just yet. The actor recently shared that while he hasn’t been approached about reprising his role as Legolas, the idea of someone else slipping into those elf boots doesn’t sit well with him.

Bloom said during an appearance on Today:

"I have not heard a peep, actually. I don't know. I know it's focusing on Gollum, so anything's possible. Listen, I'd hate to see anyone else play Legolas, you know what I mean?

“What are they going to do? Are they going to put somebody else in as Legolas? With AI they can do anything these days!"

Bloom has embodied the platinum-haired, bow-weilding Elf for over twenty years, first bringing him to life in Peter Jackson’s original trilogy The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King.

He later returned in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and The Battle of the Five Armies. Reflecting on the role, Bloom said, "It's such an amazing part. I'm so grateful to have been a part of those movies."

Since The Hunt for Gollum takes place between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to see Legolas pop up in the story. The movie is set to explore how Middle-earth’s heroes track down Andy Serkis’s Gollum after he loses the One Ring.

Parts of this hunt are briefly hinted at in The Fellowship of the Ring, including Bilbo Baggins’ discovery of the ring and Gollum’s torture in Mordor at the hands of Sauron’s forces.

While Bloom’s return is uncertain, one familiar face is confirmed. At London’s For the Love of Fantasy convention, Ian McKellen revealed that he’ll be back as Gandalf, with Elijah Wood also reprising his role as Frodo Baggins.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is scheduled to hit theaters on December 17, 2027.