Peter Jackson and the original trilogy come together to tell the deep and tragic story of Gollum.
Just when we thought the story of Middle Earth was over on the big screen, Peter Jackson surprises us with a new adventure. In association with Warner Bros., Jackson is set to produce “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.” Along for the ride are director Andy Serkis, and writers and producers Philip Boyens and Fran Walsh, all veterans of the original trilogy.
A story worth telling
In an interview with Deadline, Peter Jackson shared his vision for this new episode. “The Gollum/Smeagol character has always fascinated me because Gollum reflects human nature, while Smeagol’s side is more sympathetic in some ways,” Jackson explained. “I think it connected with readers and audiences because we all have a little bit of that inside of us. We wanted to delve into the backstory and delve into that part of the journey that we haven’t had time to cover in previous films.”
Jackson also mentioned the importance of staying true to Tolkien’s vision. “It’s too early to tell who will cross the road, but suffice it to say we’ll follow Professor Tolkien’s lead.”
Chosen to lead
It was no surprise that Andy Serkis was chosen as the director. Jackson commented: “It was fun working with Andy, who directed the second installment of ‘The Hobbit.’ “He has the energy, the imagination and, most importantly, the inner understanding of the story world necessary to return to Middle-earth.” Trust in Serkis is perfect, because they worked together on eight films. “There is no one in this world better than Andy to tackle the story of Gollum.”
Phillipe Boyens, who co-wrote the script with Fran Walsh, Phoebe Gittins and Artie Papageorgiou, expressed her enthusiasm. “Golem’s story is one of the most compelling for us,” says Boynes, “in terms of a character we haven’t been able to explore as much as we’ve wanted to before, it seems strange how much everyone knows.”
Exploring the depths of Gollum
Boynes explains why they decided to return to Middle Earth. “Golem’s life is in the most interesting Middle-earth. It was the first story we thought of when the question was first asked. “I can tell you, and people may not believe it, but we had no hope of coming back here.” The chance to work again with Warner Bros. and the executives from the original films was a big draw.
Serkis’ excitement about directing “The Hunt for Gollum” is palpable. “I’m honored to be asked to come back. I really am. I love them as filmmakers because they’re honest. They’re always looking for the truth,” Serkis said. Serkis’ connection to the character of Gollum is deep. Later, Tolkien’s world Tolkien’s world never left me.”
For Serkis, it’s an exciting opportunity to return to this world and explore Gollum’s psyche. It’s really interesting to be able to go back and delve deeper into his world, and specifically the psychology of Golem. Serkis is determined to create a film that has its place in the canon, but offers something fresh and new.
A common vision
Fran Walsh also praised Serkis: “Pete has always admired Andy’s skills as a director. That’s why he asked him to lead the second episode. It wasn’t a question of why Andy, but a question of, please, God, would Andy say yes.
The creativity and dedication of the creative team promises a deep and emotional exploration of Gollum’s character. “There are many people who wonder why we do this, why we come back to this world. Well, our job is to show why we think it’s a good idea,” Boyen said.
The film, which offers a unique and in-depth look at one of Tolkien’s most complex characters, is scheduled for release in 2026. With such a passionate and talented team behind the project, Middle Earth fans can expect another epic adventure. This will undoubtedly enrich the legacy of Tolkien’s work.