LotR fans slam ‘cheap nostalgia bait' as Ian McKellen reveals Gandalf and Frodo will return for The Lord of the Rings
🚨BREAKING: Sir Ian McKellen confirms that Frodo returns in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum' movie coming out in 2027 pic.twitter.com/wHqPjbFkKH
Ian McKellen reveals Gandalf and Frodo will be back for The Lord of the Rings
Sir Ian McKellen has confirmed that Frodo and Gandalf will appear in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.
The new film is directed by Andy Serkis and produced by Peter Jackson, who helmed the original Lord of the Rings trilogy. Serkis will return as Gollum, once again using motion capture technology.
As per Independent, during the For the Love of Fantasy event in London over the weekend, McKellen surprised fans by announcing the return of the two iconic characters. He shared, 'There's going to be another movie set in Middle-earth, starting filming in May. It's centered on Gollum, and he's also directing it. But here's a secret: Frodo and Gandalf will be in it. Beyond that, my lips are sealed!'
Internet reacts to the viral announcement
Taking to X many reacted to the announcement and said that this is sad and it looks like bait. One wrote, 'This is such a bad idea. LOTR is not a DEI friendly franchise. It is heavy European lore. If they can't make a white centric LOTR they should leave it alone and move on to something that's more diversity friendly.'
A second went on to add, 'This is sad. Cheap, nostalgia bait because we're no longer able to produce great movies.'
A third went on to add, 'So basically you've got nothing and you're trying to recapture lighting with nostalgia bait.'
*Sigh*…So basically you've got nothing and you're trying to recapture lighting with nostalgia bait. pic.twitter.com/ZrqLKKFdGe
This is sad. Cheap, nostalgia bait because we're no longer able to produce great movies.
Im soo worried that theyre going to ruin it or mess it up
Not needed. Ridiculous
This is such a bad idea. LOTR is not a DEI friendly franchise. It is heavy European lore if they can't make a white centric LOTR they should leave it alone and move on to something that's more diversity friendly.
After the original Lord of the Rings trilogy ended in 2003 with the Oscar-winning Return of the King, McKellen, Elijah Wood, and Peter Jackson returned to Middle-earth for The Hobbit trilogy, released from 2012 to 2014.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Dressing up for the bully: What Volodymyr Zelenskyy's ‘suit' says about appeasement in the age of Trump
If the art of managing Donald Trump is an exercise in deference, the European leaders gathered in Washington DC this week to discuss an end to the Ukraine-Russia conflict could be said to have achieved some level of mastery. Conversation at the summit hummed along, with a certain degree of cordiality evident in the exchanges, even if there were misgivings about the terms of the 'peace' proposed by the US President. Sufficient gratitude was expressed by all the guests for the host's attempts to end the three-year-long war. And, most notably, as observers of every political hue pointed out, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy wore a suit (or something like one, but we will get to that). Given that Zelenskyy's refusal to dress 'appropriately' was blamed for playing a part in how poorly his February visit to the White House had gone, this could be seen as progress. Six months ago, Trump had been visibly irked by Zelenskyy's appearance in his army green sweatshirt and cargo pants, greeting him with the sarcasm-laden observation, 'Oh, you're all dressed up'. The military-inspired outfit has come to be closely associated with the Ukrainian president since the Russian invasion in 2022, a variation of which he wore each of the five times he met President Joe Biden in Washington during this time. Under the Trump presidency, however, the attire has only caused irritation, being described earlier this year as 'disrespectful to the highest office of the country' by Brian Glenn, a member of the White House press pool who works for the MAGA outlet Real America's Voice. The February episode was, in a way, a clash between two men with an intuitive understanding of spectacle, who know well how to dress to speak to their respective constituencies. Both Zelenskyy and Trump have showbiz history; the former, before he became president in 2019, had been a successful comedian and actor, noted for his lead role in the series Servant of the People (which is also believed to have inspired his political career). The change in his wardrobe, following the Russian invasion in February 2022, reflected his new position as a wartime leader, designed to show solidarity with his country's armed forces — in a December 2022 interview, he told The Financial Times' Christopher Miller that he would go back to wearing a suit and tie (and shave off his beard) only after Ukrainian victory in the war. Trump, the first reality TV star to become US president, also uses costumery to send out a message, garbing himself in the colours of the American flag — blue suit, red tie, white shirt — as a display of his brand of patriotism. This particular combination has, indeed, become something of a uniform for other notable members of the administration, particularly Vice President J D Vance and Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth (the women in Trump's orbit have their own 'uniform' of stiff, immaculately waved hair, body-hugging sheath dresses and, frequently, a small gold crucifix around the neck). Under a president who values loyalty above all else, such fealty in costume is a significant non-verbal indication of allegiance to the man himself. Which is why Zelenskyy's decision to suit up for his second meeting with Trump at the White House has been seen as a conciliatory gesture, signalling a great willingness to appease. As to whether the all-black, tie-less outfit with military elements qualifies as a suit at all — there has been considerable debate over this question at least since June 25, when the Ukrainian president attended a dinner before the NATO summit wearing the same outfit. It sparked a massive controversy on Polymarket, a cryptocurrency platform used for betting, where punters were asked to place their money on whether or not Zelenskyy would wear a suit before July. The dispute, with over $200 million at stake at one point, flared up when, after photos of the NATO dinner emerged, the gamble went the way of those who had betted against Zelenskyy wearing a suit. Those who had taken a punt on the opposite position claimed market manipulation and threatened lawsuits. Some sort of final word on the matter came from Derek Guy, editor of the menswear blog Put This On, who said that while the suit met the technical definition of a suit — in that it featured a jacket and pair of pants cut from the same cloth — the military-inspired details like the shape of the collar, lapels and the four patch pockets meant that it did not fit the social expectations of a suit. Ultimately, of course, all that really mattered was that Trump loved the 'suit'. In the Oval Office before the press, with fulsome praise this time from Glenn — 'you look fabulous' — the President touched his Ukrainian counterpart on the shoulder and said, 'I said the same thing.' Perhaps not the ceasefire that the beleaguered Zelenskyy had hoped for, but the only one he's likely to get.
Time of India
6 hours ago
- Time of India
The Map That Leads to You release date and time: When and where to watch Madelyn Cline and KJ Apa's dreamy Euro trip love story
The Map That Leads to You release date and time: Rom-coms might seem like a vintage genre, but Madelyn Cline and KJ Apa's The Map That Leads to You is showing up with a suitcase full of hope. Over the past few years, romantic comedies have taken a backseat to thrillers, true crime, and high-concept sci-fi, but the appetite for messy love stories, real feelings, and charming chaos never really left. Prime Video clearly got the memo. With The Map That Leads to You, the platform is leaning hard into that classic summer-love-meets-life-purpose formula, the one that hits you right in the chest without trying too hard. The film brings together a dreamy cast, postcard-worthy locations, and just the right amount of emotional turmoil to make you root for love again. Scroll ahead to know all about the upcoming film. The Map that Leads to You: What it's all about and who's in It The Map That Leads to You is based on J.P. Monninger's bestselling novel of the same name. The story follows Heather Mulgrew, a recent graduate, travelling through Europe with her best friends before settling into adult life. On a train ride, she meets Jack, a free-spirited traveller retracing his grandfather's journal across the continent. Their journey takes them through lavender fields, seaside sunsets, and historic cities where sparks fly, secrets unfold, and life choices reshape their futures. With its mix of adventure, self-discovery, and tender romance, the film captures the beauty of taking chances on both love and life. Who is behind the scenes? The film is directed by Oscar-nominated Lasse Hallström with a screenplay by Les Bohem and Vera Herbert. It stars Madelyn Cline as Heather and KJ Apa as Jack, supported by Sofia Wylie, Madison Thompson, Josh Lucas, and others. The score is composed by Sarah Trevino, adding emotional depth to the breathtaking backdrops of Spain, Portugal, and Italy, where filming took place. Produced for Prime Video, the movie is positioned as a heartfelt summer release that offers scenic European charm with a moving love story. The Map That Leads to You release date and time: When to stream Clear your schedule—The Map That Leads to You drops on August 20, 2025, exclusively on Prime Video. Here's your global watch guide: Pacific Time (PT): August 19, midnight (00:00) Eastern Time (ET): August 20, 3 AM British Summer Time (BST): August 20, 8 AM India (IST): August 20, 12:30 PM AWST (Perth): August 20, 11 AM The film will drop at midnight local time in most regions, so you can stream it as soon as the date flips in your area. Just make sure your Prime membership is active.
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
'I remember': Watch Zelensky's sweet revenge on reporter who mocked him for not wearing a suit six months ago
Clothes don't decide the fate of nations, but on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky used a touch of fashion diplomacy to try and win US President Donald Trump's support for a peace deal with Russia. While Ukraine faces life-and-death struggles, speculation in Washington circled around one question: would Zelensky finally wear a suit? Back in February, the wartime leader was mocked by a right-wing reporter for showing up to the Oval Office in military fatigues instead of formal attire. That moment spiraled into a tense exchange as Trump and Vice President JD Vance scolded Zelensky for not being 'grateful' enough for US support. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo Six months later, the atmosphere could not have been more different. 'I can't believe it, I love it!' Trump exclaimed when Zelensky arrived at the White House in a sleek black jacket and collared shirt. Zelensky, a former comedian, quipped: 'It's the best I had.' Live Events — EricLDaugh (@EricLDaugh) Inside the Oval Office, the scene of his earlier embarrassment, the same reporter, Brian Glenn of Real America's Voice , gushed: 'President Zelensky, you look fabulous in that suit!' Trump jumped in: 'That's the one who attacked you last time.' 'I remember,' Zelensky shot back, deadpan. Then came his punchline: 'You're wearing the same suit as six months ago.' The exchange, both lighthearted and sharp, was part of Zelensky's broader charm offensive aimed at softening Trump, a leader who admires Russian President Vladimir Putin and has questioned the costs of US aid to Kyiv. Zelensky also brought personal touches — including a letter from his wife Olena to Melania Trump, thanking her for urging Putin to protect children's lives. European leaders, meanwhile, joined the effort at the White House, praising Trump's supposed push for peace while standing by Ukraine's cause. NATO chief Mark Rutte even joked about the ongoing wardrobe obsession: 'Do I look OK?' he laughed, buttoning his jacket. For Zelensky, though, the sweetest moment came not in negotiations but in a well-timed comeback — proof that even in wartime diplomacy, style can deliver the perfect revenge.
