Andy Serkis is gearing up for pre-production on The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum – and, according to the director, it should be a must-watch for fans of the original trilogy.
It’s a slightly strange time for Middle-earth. Late last year, the franchise released an anime movie: War of the Rohirrim, which was middlingly reviewed. Plus, it bombed at the box office.
Earlier in 2024, Rings of Power Season 2 aired on Prime Video. It was a major improvement to the first season, with scaled-up battles, devastating plot turns, and some major reveals in the finale (Gandalf!) – and yet, while Amazon insisted it was a success, its viewership dropped.
Now, Peter Jackson has returned to the fold to produce a new movie directed by Andy Serkis: The Hunt for Gollum.
The Hunt for Gollum will recapture the “feel” of Lord of the Rings
Speaking to Collider at the Annecy Animation Festival, Serkis said they’re still “very early on in the process” for The Hunt for Gollum.
“We’ve been talking about the film over the course of the last year. We’re about to start a period of prep in the next few months or so,” he explained.
“We will be shooting in the early to mid-part of next year, I guess, and then it’ll be as long as it takes to shoot, which – it’s a sizable movie – all ready for a December 2027 release.
“I’m incredibly excited to go back and work with my friends and family in New Zealand and actually do something which is, I think, going to be surprising, and yet very much part of the lore and the feel of the trilogy.
“The sensibility of it will feel, I think, close to that, and yet we’re investigating in greater depth the character formerly known as Smeagol, but mostly known as Gollum.”
New Line CinemaThe film is expected to follow Gollum’s experiences with Sauron in Mordor, before attempting to make his way to the Shire. As per Tolkien’s appendices, Gandalf sends Aragorn on a mission to find him. It’s sort of a prequel (most of it could unfold between Gandalf giving Frodo the One Ring and returning to the Shire).
Sir Ian McKellen has basically confirmed he’s coming back as Gandalf, but what about Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn?
“I would never want to recast that character. I don’t think Andy would. I think it’s going to be a question… honestly, it’s going to be a process,” Philippa Boyens told Dexerto.
“We’re always in touch with Viggo. He has our heart, always, as that particular character. I think no matter what happens there, it will involve him. He’s either gonna hand it off or he’s gonna be able to play it.”
Boyens also revealed the one Lord of the Rings book she wants the rights to adapt in our interview. You can also find out what’s happening with Rings of Power Season 3.
