A number of stars from the LOTR film series have discussed the possibility of returning over the years — for example, Ian McKellen has long been totally down to play Gandalf again. Back in December 2017, he discussed the Amazon series during a visit on "The Graham Norton Show." When Norton suggested that they may have to cast another Gandalf for the show, McKellen wouldn't hear it. "What do you mean, another Gandalf? I haven't said yes because I haven't been asked. But are you suggesting that someone else is going to play it? Gandalf is over 7,000 years old, so I'm not too old." McKellen has not been officially confirmed for the new series, so we'll have to wait until the premiere to find out.
Meanwhile, powerful elven leaders Galadriel and Elrod are confirmed to return, though they will be played by different actors — Morfydd Clark will replace Cate Blanchett as a young Galadriel, and Robert Aramayo will replace Hugo Weaving as Elrond.
Dominic Monaghan, meanwhile, wasn't opposed to reprising his role as Merry. "It just depends how they do it, really," he told EW in 2018. "If they do the older hobbits sitting around reminiscing on their journeys, of course I'd do that. I love that world, and I think introducing new generations to that world only brings them back to the Peter Jackson trilogy, and to the books." Of course, the new series's timeline means Merry won't be making an appearance.
Not everyone from the original cast was on board to return (even if Amazon asked). John Rhys-Davies, who played Gimli in the original trilogy, isn't a fan of the series. In fact, he dislikes the idea. "Why we quite need 'Lord of the Rings' as a TV series baffles me slightly," he told Den of Geek in 2017. "I mean, the extraordinary money they're getting from online gambling and stuff like this, it's just a disgrace."
Andy Serkis, who memorably portrayed Gollum and Smeagol, also wasn't up for joining in, but he was a bit kinder about the prospect of a TV series. "It sounds incredible, but I don't see myself being any part of it," he said to Screencrush in 2018. "I think it's a completely fresh, new approach to it all, so I don't think I'd imagine myself to be anywhere near it, really."
