Kate Winslet is set to join Andy Serkis' upcoming The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum movie as the female lead. Along with Serkis' Gollum, the cast will also include the return of Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins and Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf.

Serkis and filmmaker Peter Jackson spent much of the past year trying to bring Winslet into the film. The role will require the actress to relocate to New Zealand for several months while production takes place.

The Hunt for Gollum takes place between The Hobbit trilogy and The Lord of the Rings trilogy, with Aragorn and Gandalf searching for Gollum to learn more information about Bilbo’s ring, which turns out to be the One Ring that threatens all of Middle Earth during the events of Lord of the Rings.

Elijah Wood and Sir Ian McKellen are expected to reprise their roles as Frodo Baggins and Gandalf respectively.

The former recently told The Times newspaper: It hasn’t been officially announced, but at a convention last August, Ian sort of let the cat out of the bag.

"So there is a good chance. I’m not able to officially say anything until it’s announced, but I will say I’m thrilled with the prospect of another film. It’s always a little nerve-racking when people talk about new movies for a world like Middle-Earth. Everyone gets a little protective and hopes it retains its level of integrity, but this story is fun, thrilling. There is a genuine feeling of getting the band back together."

When asked about Sir Ian’s insistence that no one else should play Gandalf while he’s still alive, Elijah said he feels exactly the same about Frodo.

He explained that he wouldn’t want another actor taking over the character "as long as I’m alive and able," adding that he’s just as excited as fans at the thought of seeing familiar faces return.

Source: Press Release