By Gavin Boyle
While recent Lord of the Rings adaptations have delivered quality entertainment, fans are even more excited about THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE HUNT FOR GOLLUM because it feels like a return to the Oscar-winning, early 2000s trilogy, including the same cast members and Peter Jackson working on the project.
“The Gollum/Sméagol character has always fascinated me because Gollum reflects the worst of human nature, whilst his Sméagol side is, arguably, quite sympathetic,” Jackson told Deadline in May 2024. “I think he connects with readers and film audiences alike, because there’s a little bit of both of them in all of us.”
“We really want to explore his backstory and delve into those parts of his journey we didn’t have time to cover in the earlier films,” he continued. “It’s too soon to know who will cross his path, but suffice to say we will take our lead from Professor Tolkien.”
Though those working on the movie have yet to confirm which of these characters Gollum will cross paths with, many original cast members have stated they would be thrilled to return to the franchise given the chance, including Orlando Bloom (Legolas), Ian McKellen (Gandalf) and Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn). Of these actors, McKellen seems the most certain to return, given the time period the movie will take place.
“THE HUNT FOR GOLLUM will depict how Gandalf’s research about the One Ring led him to seek Gollum out, as the wizard sought to confirm the dangers he suspected,” a synopsis of the movie reads. “This means that THE HUNT FOR GOLLUM will be set after Bilbo’s 111th Birthday Party, which was seen at the beginning of THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING. However, it will be before Gandalf returns to Frodo years later when he explains the Ring’s danger to the hobbit and sends him and Samwise Gamgee on their initial journey to the village of Bree outside the Shire.”
Related: Why THE LORD OF THE RINGS Franchise is Returning with Gollum
Though Jackson will not serve as the director of the movie, he will nonetheless be involved as a producer, while Andy Serkis — who worked in production on the original trilogy while also playing Gollum — will direct.
“Andy was a joy to work with directing Second Unit on THE HOBBIT,” Jackson said. “He has the energy and imagination and, most importantly, an inherent understanding of the world of the story that is needed to step back into Middle-earth.”
“We have collaborated on eight films together and each time has been a fantastic experience,” he continued. “There’s no one on this earth better equipped to tackle Gollum’s story than Andy.”
THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE HUNT FOR GOLLUM is slated to hit theaters on Dec. 17, 2027.
Read Next: Andy Serkis Set to Star in, Direct New LORD OF THE RINGS Movie
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