Elijah Wood’s return to the Shire in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is all but guaranteed.

Wood played Hobbit Frodo Baggins across all three films in Peter Jackson’s acclaimed Lord of the Rings trilogy, reprising the role a decade later for the director’s take on The Hobbit. Now, Gollum actor Andy Serkis is confirmed to direct prequel film The Hunt for Gollum, and many familiar faces are rumored to return for this new adventure.

Speaking with The Times, Wood now addresses his potential return as Frodo in the upcoming prequel, saying he wouldn’t want anyone else playing the character while he’s “alive and able” to return. He then goes on to more or less confirm that he will be back for The Hunt for Gollum, though the deal seemingly hasn’t been closed just yet:

“It hasn’t been officially announced, but at a convention last August, Ian [McKellen] 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. I’m just excited.”

When the interviewer brings up that McKellen previously shared that he wouldn’t want another actor taking on the role of Gandalf, Wood makes clear that this is a sentiment that he relates to:

“Well, no, and I totally get that. I certainly wouldn’t want anybody else to play Frodo either as long as I’m alive and able. And I can also recognize what fun that is going to be — when you are in the cinema and you see the hat turn around and it’s Gandalf. Because I’m also a fan, and excited to see how it all comes together.”

More to come…