CELEB
From Potterhead to Middle-earth Newbie
Anya Taylor-Joy is about to become one of the most talked-about actresses in fantasy cinema, starring as a key character in the upcoming *The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum*. But here's the plot twist nobody saw coming: the actress has never actually cracked open J.R.R. Tolkien's original novels. Yep, you read that right. the woman set to bring Middle-earth back to the big screen is essentially a literary newcomer to one of the most beloved book franchises in history.
Speaking to Variety at the Monday night premiere of Apple TV's *Lucky*, Taylor-Joy revealed she's fully aware of the irony. "I'm about to read the books now, actually," she admitted with a laugh. The confession came straight from the star herself, proving she's not letting her casting news go to her head.
A Childhood Case of Fantasy Fandom Loyalty
Before you start drafting angry tweets, here's some context: Taylor-Joy wasn't exactly ignoring Tolkien. As a kid, she was a die-hard *Harry Potter* enthusiast. so devoted, in fact, that she convinced herself loving both franchises was somehow forbidden. "As a child, I had a misguided idea that you could only be a 'Harry Potter' fan or a 'Lord of the Rings' fan," she explained. "Nobody told me that. I just came up with that on my own."
It's a relatable childhood logic that many fantasy fans probably understand. Picking a side between Hogwarts and the Shire felt like choosing a favorite child. But here's the thing: Taylor-Joy eventually came around to the truth that most of us already knew.
The COVID Silver Lining
The actress's journey to Middle-earth began during the pandemic lockdowns. With extra time on her hands, she finally sat down and watched Peter Jackson's entire *Lord of the Rings* trilogy. and the experience was apparently life-changing. "Luckily, throughout COVID, I then watched all of 'Lord of the Rings,' and turns out you can love both, and you should," Taylor-Joy told Variety.
Her belated discovery of the films seems to have opened her eyes to what she's been missing. Now, with production on *The Hunt for Gollum* underway, Taylor-Joy is making it her mission to catch up on the source material before cameras start rolling.
Why This Matters for Fans
For die-hard Tolkien purists, this confession might feel like a minor scandal. How do you prepare for a role in Middle-earth without reading the books that started it all? But let's be honest. Taylor-Joy has proven time and again that she can disappear into a character, whether she's playing a chess prodigy in *The Queen's Gambit* or a warrior in *Furiosa*. Her talent speaks for itself.
Plus, there's something endearingly human about an A-list star admitting she has homework to do. Taylor-Joy isn't hiding behind false bravado; she's being refreshingly honest about her literary gaps. That kind of authenticity is part of why audiences love her.
The Bottom Line
Anya Taylor-Joy is officially on a Tolkien reading sprint, and fans will be watching closely to see how her performance in *The Hunt for Gollum* is shaped by finally experiencing the source material. Will she emerge as a true believer in the Church of Tolkien? Only time will tell. But one thing's for certain: when she finally finishes those books, the internet is going to have a field day asking her opinion on every controversial lore detail. Good luck, Anya. you're going to need it.
