Hugo Weaving Declines Return to Middle-earth

Hugo Weaving, renowned for his role as Elrond in the Lord of the Rings franchise, has definitively ruled out any return to Middle-earth, especially with the upcoming film, The Hunt for Gollum, set to release in 2026. In a recent interview, he expressed that he has 'had enough' of the franchise despite enjoying his time in New Zealand during filming. Weaving emphasized the challenge of reprising the role due to his aging, noting that Elrond's character is supposed to be immortal, making his return implausible. While other actors like Ian McKellen and Viggo Mortensen are open to returning, Weaving's stance is clear: he has 'absolutely no plans or desires' to revisit the role. The new film will focus on Gollum and is part of a broader revival of the franchise by Warner Bros., which aims to capitalize on the enduring popularity of Tolkien's work.