One Flight to Rule Them All: ‘Lord of the Rings’ Cast Reunites on a Plane
Middle-earth meets the friendly skies in a recent social media post that has thrilled fantasy fans. Actor Dominic Monaghan shared a delightful photo on his Instagram, showcasing a casual reunion of several beloved cast and crew members aboard a commercial airline flight.
The touching image was accompanied by a caption that celebrated the legendary journey they all shared decades ago. Monaghan referenced the franchise with a nod, writing, An epic #flyyoufools moment. See you at @fanexpodenver #becurious.
Elijah Wood beams with enthusiasm, his eyes wide open, while Dominic Monaghan leans in with an energetic shout, playfully leaning against Wood.
The group was on their way to Fan Expo Denver, a major pop culture convention celebrating iconic entertainment franchises. This gathering is particularly special as it marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the film trilogy.
The event features a reunion tour lineup that includes panels, photo ops, and even a themed breakfast for dedicated fans. Attendees can look forward to exclusive merchandise and engaging discussions reflecting on this cinematic achievement.
Dominic Monaghan, known for his role as the hobbit Meriadoc Merry Brandybuck, has been busy with various creative projects since his time in Middle-earth. He recently teamed up with co-star Billy Boyd for a travel and food podcast called Billy & Dom Eat the World.
In addition to his hosting work, Monaghan has expanded his filmography with independent projects like Long Shadows and Rajah. He is also set to make appearances at specialized events, including an upcoming stint on Comic Con: The Cruise.
The groundbreaking film trilogy, directed by Peter Jackson, originally featured an ensemble cast that propelled many actors to global fame. Alongside Monaghan, the films focused on Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins, Sean Astin as Samwise Gamgee, and Billy Boyd as Peregrin Pippin Took.
Peter Jackson has revealed exciting new plans for ‘The Lord of the Rings’ franchise in 2026, including a brand-new film and potential adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s other works.
In March, Jackson announced that a new ‘Lord of the Rings’ movie is in development under the working title ‘The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past.’ The screenplay is co-written by television host and Tolkien enthusiast Stephen Colbert, alongside Jackson’s son Peter McGee and screenwriter Philippa Boyens. This film will be set several decades after the events of ‘The Return of the King.’
While the story unfolds later in Middle-earth’s timeline, it will also delve into events from ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’ that were not included in the original trilogy. This approach aims to expand Tolkien’s universe while revisiting familiar characters and narratives.
Months later, during the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, Jackson shared further updates on his ambitions for the franchise. He disclosed that he has begun early development work on adapting additional Tolkien material for the big screen.
Among the works under consideration are ‘The Silmarillion’ and ‘Unfinished Tales of Númenor and Middle-earth,’ two of Tolkien’s most expansive collections of stories and lore. Jackson noted that Christopher Tolkien had previously opposed film adaptations of these writings. However, following Christopher Tolkien’s passing in 2020, Jackson has been collaborating closely with the Tolkien Estate to explore the possibility of bringing these stories to audiences.
Fans can also anticipate ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum,’ an upcoming film from Warner Bros. through its New Line Cinema label. Directed by Andy Serkis, with Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens as producers, this project aims to expand the narratives within J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth universe.
Initially slated for a 2026 release, the film’s schedule has since been pushed back. According to Serkis, it is now set to premiere on December 17, 2027.
Overall, the project remains in development but now has a confirmed late-2027 release date after a delay from its original timeline.
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