Convention - For The Love of Fantasy 2025 : The Lord of the Rings Cast Reunites to Reveal a Majestic Middle-earth Future

By Mulder, London, ExCeL London, 17 august 2025

The For The Love of Fantasy 2025 convention, held at ExCeL London on August 16–17, became a true celebration of cinema history when some of the most beloved figures of modern fantasy storytelling reunited on stage for a panel dedicated to The Lord of the Rings. Fans, many of whom had travelled long distances across the United Kingdom and from abroad, filled the hall to its limits, eager to witness the return of a fellowship that has become an inseparable part of popular culture. The sight of Sir Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, and John Rhys-Davies stepping onto the stage was met with rapturous applause and standing ovations, the kind of visceral reception that underscored just how profoundly these actors and their characters have continued to resonate more than two decades after the release of The Fellowship of the Ring. This was not merely nostalgia—it was the reaffirmation of a cultural phenomenon, one that continues to grow and evolve in unexpected ways.

The defining moment of the event came when Sir Ian McKellen, now 86 but still carrying the aura of Gandalf, revealed that the wizard would indeed return in the upcoming film The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. The announcement was seismic, electrifying the hall with a mixture of gasps and cheers. To make matters even more extraordinary, he added that Elijah Wood is also expected to reprise his role as Frodo Baggins, though Wood himself chose not to speak the confirmation aloud. Yet his quiet smile and presence at the side of Sir Ian McKellen as the news spread across the audience seemed a silent but undeniable endorsement. The new feature, directed by Andy Serkis, who revolutionized motion capture with his haunting portrayal of Gollum, is slated for release on December 17, 2027, under the banner of Warner Bros. Discovery with Philippa Boyens and Peter Jackson among the producers. The film aims to illuminate one of the most enigmatic chapters in Tolkien’s world: the wandering years of Gollum, between Bilbo’s birthday and the rising darkness in Moria. For the thousands of fans gathered in London, the promise of seeing Gandalf and Frodo once again sharing the screen, under the guidance of such a creative team, felt like both an unexpected gift and a long-overdue dream.

The panel, however, was not defined by announcements alone. It became a heartfelt tapestry of memories, laughter, and reflection. Sean Astin, still beloved by fans as Samwise Gamgee, entertained the crowd with stories of the grueling yet rewarding filming days in New Zealand, highlighting the camaraderie that carried the cast through the immense pressures of the production. Billy Boyd and Dominic Monaghan, inseparable both on screen as Merry and Pippin and off screen as lifelong friends, leaned into their shared reputation as the fellowship’s tricksters. They recalled elaborate pranks played on crew members, spontaneous singalongs during downtime, and the way those moments of joy helped to balance the intensity of the epic undertaking. John Rhys-Davies, with his trademark gravitas, reflected on the challenges of portraying Gimli, a role that tested him physically but rewarded him with an enduring connection to fans across the globe. For Sir Ian McKellen, the reflections were more solemn yet no less powerful. He spoke of the privilege of being able to return to Gandalf at a stage of life when most actors have already stepped away from the screen, acknowledging how deeply the role has become a part of his own identity. His words were received with a quiet reverence before the audience once again erupted into thunderous applause, realizing they were witnessing not just a personal reflection, but a rare moment of cinematic continuity.

What became abundantly clear during the panel was not just the affection the actors still share with each other, but the enduring cultural impact of The Lord of the Rings. Few film franchises have managed to retain such vitality and relevance decades after their initial release. The trilogy, directed by Peter Jackson between 2001 and 2003, remains a monumental achievement in fantasy cinema, having grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide and won 17 Academy Awards, including Best Picture for The Return of the King. Its influence has been profound, inspiring generations of filmmakers, actors, and fans. With the announcement of The Hunt for Gollum, Middle-earth reasserts itself as fertile ground for epic storytelling, offering a narrative that can captivate newcomers while rewarding the loyalty of fans who have carried these characters in their hearts for years. The return of Sir Ian McKellen and potentially Elijah Wood, combined with the directorial vision of Andy Serkis and the creative oversight of Philippa Boyens, signals that this next chapter will be both a continuation and a renewal—a reminder that Tolkien’s world is timeless and that its characters are immortal in the collective imagination.

By the time the session at ExCeL London drew to a close, there was a palpable sense that attendees had been present for something much larger than a convention panel. They had shared in a piece of film history, one that bridged the past and the future of Middle-earth. The sight of these actors once more united on stage, exchanging stories and laughter while also pointing toward new cinematic adventures, reinforced the idea that the journey never truly ends—it simply takes new forms. Fans left the hall with renewed excitement, carrying with them the certainty that the Shire, Rivendell, Mordor, and the Mines of Moria continue to live as vividly today as they did when first brought to life on screen. In the end, Sir Ian McKellen’s words echoed with renewed poignancy: “All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.” At For The Love of Fantasy 2025, that time was spent celebrating the past, embracing the present, and looking ahead to a majestic Middle-earth future.

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