Anya Taylor-Joy Still Haven’t Read ‘Lord of the Rings’ Books

A New Chapter for Anya Taylor-Joy

Anya Taylor-Joy, known for her captivating performances in films like “The Queen” and “The Witch,” has always been a devoted fan of the “Harry Potter” series. However, her recent casting in “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” marks a significant shift in her career, as she now finds herself stepping into the rich and complex world of J.R.R. Tolkien.

In an interview with a media outlet, Taylor-Joy shared her excitement about this new venture. “I’m about to read the books now, actually,” she mentioned. “As a child, I had a misguided idea that you could only be a ‘Harry Potter’ fan or a ‘Lord of the Rings’ fan. Nobody told me that. I just came up with that on my own. Luckily, throughout COVID, I then watched all of ‘Lord of the Rings,’ and turns out you can love both, and you should.”

Embracing the World of Middle-earth

Taylor-Joy’s initial reaction to being cast in “The Hunt for Gollum” was filled with enthusiasm. She expressed her excitement by saying, “It’s so fun. I mean, if my tombstone can say ‘Lethal Elf,’ I feel like I did a good job on this planet. So yeah, I’m excited.”

Her role as Seren, a Sindar Elf of the Woodland Realm, is described as “a trusted and lethal agent of King Thranduil.” This character adds a new layer to the already expansive lore of Middle-earth. Taylor-Joy joins other newcomers to the “LOTR” universe, including Kate Winslet, Leo Woodall, and Jamie Dornan. Notably, Dornan will take over the role of Aragorn, previously played by Viggo Mortensen.

The Cast and Crew Behind the Scenes

Directed by Andy Serkis, who will also reprise his iconic role as Gollum, “The Hunt for Gollum” promises to deliver an immersive experience for fans of the franchise. The film follows Aragorn during the time between “The Hobbit” and “The Fellowship of the Ring,” focusing on his search for the ring-obsessed creature. Ian McKellen (Gandalf), Elijah Wood (Frodo), and Lee Pace (King Thranduil) are set to return, adding to the film’s credibility and excitement.

Despite the change in actors, Serkis recently shared positive feedback about the casting decisions. In an interview with the “Happy, Sad, Confused” podcast, he mentioned that Mortensen is “thrilled” about the direction of the film. “I really, really don’t want to go into it right now because I do want to save that for, you know, further down the line,” Serkis said. “I’m gonna save all discussion about casting. Other than that, we are thrilled that Jamie’s doing it. I mean, we’re, you know, we’re absolutely thrilled. And, by the way, so is Viggo.”

Looking Forward to the Future

As the release of “The Hunt for Gollum” approaches, fans are eagerly anticipating what this new installment will bring to the “Lord of the Rings” saga. With a stellar cast and the creative vision of Andy Serkis, the film is poised to captivate both longtime fans and new audiences alike. Anya Taylor-Joy’s involvement adds an exciting new dimension to the story, promising a fresh perspective on the beloved world of Middle-earth.