Andy Serkis: 'Hunt for Gollum' Fits Tolkien Lore

Andy Serkis has shared initial insights about Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, describing it as both "surprising" for fans while maintaining the signature tone of Peter Jackson's revered trilogy.

Returning to Middle-earth

Serkis will both direct and reprise his iconic role in The Hunt for Gollum, scheduled for release on December 17, 2027. The film marks his return to the character that defined his career, over a decade after his last appearance in The Battle of the Five Armies. This new chapter will explore Gollum's untold story between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.

Revealing Details in Recent Interview

While promoting his new film Animal Farm, Serkis discussed the project's development timeline with Collider: "We're in the very early stages of production, having spent the past year developing the concept. Pre-production will begin in the coming months, with principal photography scheduled for early to mid-2025. Given the film's scale, we'll need substantial time for shooting before the 2027 release."

He emphasized the project's creative vision: "I'm thrilled to reunite with my filmmaking family in New Zealand to create something that will surprise audiences while honoring the trilogy's spirit. We're delving deeper into the complex psychology of the character once known as Smeagol."

Connecting to the Beloved Trilogy

Serkis' comments suggest The Hunt for Gollum will maintain continuity with Jackson's original films while expanding the mythology. The production may see several familiar faces return, including Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf - though the 86-year-old actor has noted his participation depends on his physical capacity. Viggo Mortensen has also expressed openness to returning as Aragorn.

The Expanding Middle-earth Universe

Warner Bros. has confirmed this marks the first of two new LOTR feature films developed by Jackson, Walsh, and Boyens. Meanwhile, Amazon continues expanding the universe with The Rings of Power series (currently preparing Season 3), while the animated feature The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim debuted in December.