The Hunt for Gollum: Andy Serkis Promises More Than Nostalgia

Andy Serkis is not finished with Middle-earth just yet.

The highly anticipated prequel film The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum showcases Serkis performing a remarkable dual role, going beyond his well-known portrayal of Gollum/Sméagol. In addition to reprising this iconic character, he will also take on the responsibilities of directing, making him the second individual, after Peter Jackson, to direct a live-action Lord of the Rings movie.

Prior to the commencement of production for The Hunt for Gollum in New Zealand, Serkis had an insightful discussion with Mashable’s Entertainment Reporter, Belen Edwards, about what audiences can anticipate from this exciting new film.

“The joy of [The Hunt for Gollum] is that it’s an entirely unique story, yet it seamlessly integrates into the rich lore, tone, and atmosphere established by Peter Jackson 25 years ago,” Serkis expressed.

Serkis elaborated that the film is strategically placed between The Hobbit trilogy and the Lord of the Rings saga. It will depict the epic quest of Gandalf (played by Ian McKellen) and Aragorn (portrayed by Jamie Dornan, who is stepping in for Viggo Mortensen) as they search for Gollum leading up to the monumental War of the Ring. This hunt is referenced in The Fellowship of the Ring and further detailed in the trilogy’s Appendices, while also receiving brief mentions in Jackson’s films.

The Hunt for Gollum represents the latest advancement in Warner Bros. Pictures‘ expansion of their Middle-earth film universe. In 2025, the studio is set to release the anime film The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. Additionally, on March 25, Warner Bros. announced a new project titled The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past (working title), a sequel to Lord of the Rings crafted by Philippa Boyens, Stephen Colbert—a dedicated Tolkien enthusiast—and his son, Peter McGee.

The influx of Lord of the Rings titles may trigger concerns regarding the potential dilution of a cherished franchise. However, Serkis reassures fans that this is not an issue with The Hunt for Gollum.

“The narrative, and consequently our perspective on the story, is distinctive and specific to this particular tale,” Serkis stated. “This is not merely a nostalgia-driven film. We are witnessing an abundance of those types of films, heavily leaning into nostalgia for the beloved elements of the movies from 25 and 30 years ago. [The Hunt for Gollum] respects that world, but it undoubtedly brings a fresh perspective and newness regarding the actual story.”

This freshness also applies to the cast. The Hunt for Gollum will see the return of several familiar faces: Serkis, McKellen, Elijah Wood, and Lee Pace will reprise their iconic roles from the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies. However, the film also welcomes a host of newcomers to Middle-earth. Kate Winslet and Leo Woodall will portray Marigol and Halvard, two characters not found in Tolkien’s original novels or films, while Jamie Dornan takes over the role of Aragorn from Viggo Mortensen.

“In our film, we are referring to him as Strider. He is at a different stage of his journey, which makes him slightly different from the Aragorn we encounter later on,” Serkis explained. “This version of himself has spent time in the wilderness as a Dúnedain Ranger. I’ll leave it at that for now, but Jamie is perfect for this part of the character’s journey.”

For more insights from Serkis, including his favorite Lord of the Rings meme and his thoughts on Andor, be sure to check out the complete Say More interview above.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is set to hit theaters in 2027.