Andy Serkis recently shared insights about the upcoming Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, teasing that fans will find it both unexpected while maintaining the essence of Peter Jackson's iconic trilogy.
The Return of Cinema's Most Complex Creature
Serkis will both direct and reprise his legendary role as Gollum in the film scheduled for December 17, 2027. After bringing the tortured creature to life across Jackson's original trilogy and The Hobbit films, Serkis returns to explore Gollum's untold story between those two sagas.
While promoting his new film Animal Farm, Serkis gave Collider exclusive details about the project's tone and production timeline:
"We're very early in development," Serkis explained. "After a year of creative discussions, we'll begin pre-production soon with principal photography slated for early-mid 2025. It's an ambitious project requiring substantial production time - all leading to our 2027 release."
The actor-director promised an intriguing balance between fresh storytelling and franchise familiarity: "Returning to New Zealand feels like coming home. We're crafting something surprising yet deeply rooted in Tolkien's lore - maintaining Peter Jackson's cinematic language while delving deeper into Smeagol's tragic transformation."
A Fellowship Reunited?
Serkis' comments suggest Jackson's aesthetic will guide the new film while exploring Gollum's psychology more profoundly. The production may also mark a Middle-earth reunion, with:
- 86-year-old Sir Ian McKellen potentially returning as Gandalf (pending his health)
- Viggo Mortensen reportedly open to reprising Aragorn
The Expanded Middle-earth Saga
The Hunt for Gollum represents Warner Bros.' first of two planned LOTR films from Jackson, Walsh and Boyens - part of renewed studio efforts to expand Tolkien's cinematic universe.
The franchise continues thriving across multiple fronts:
- Amazon's Rings of Power developing Season 3
- The recently released animated feature The War of the Rohirrim
This ever-growing mythology ensures Middle-earth remains one of entertainment's most enduring fantasy realms.
