The legendary Andy Serkis has given fans their first taste of what to expect from Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, promising a "surprising" take on the beloved character while maintaining the emotional core of Peter Jackson's original trilogy.
A Return to Middle-earth
Serkis, who will both direct and reprise his iconic role as Gollum in the December 2027 release, hinted at deeper character exploration while speaking to Collider. The film marks his return to the tortured creature over a decade after The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, finally revealing what happened to Gollum between Bilbo's adventure and Frodo's quest.
"We're approaching this with both fresh eyes and deep reverence," Serkis revealed during promotion for his new film Animal Farm. "The team and I have spent the past year developing something that honors the original trilogy's spirit while delving deeper into Gollum's psyche."
The Road to Middle-earth
Production is gearing up to begin next year in New Zealand, with Serkis visibly excited about reuniting with fellow creatives. "We'll start pre-production soon, with principal photography planned for early-to-mid 2025," he shared. "It's a substantial project that deserves proper care and attention."
The actor-director emphasized his vision to balance innovation with respect for Tolkien's world: "We're exploring new dimensions of this tragic character while ensuring the film's sensibility feels true to the trilogy audiences love."
Familiar Faces May Return
While plot details remain under wraps, Serkis' comments suggest potential appearances from original cast members. Sir Ian McKellen (now 86) has expressed willingness to return as Gandalf if health permits, while Viggo Mortensen remains open to reprising Aragorn.
Warner Bros. confirmed this marks the first of two new Middle-earth films from Jackson, Walsh, and Boyens. Meanwhile, Amazon's Rings of Power series prepares its third season, and the animated War of the Rohirrim recently debuted.
The Lord of the Rings Timeline
View 7 Images
