The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum

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The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is the working title of an upcoming film produced by Warner Bros. under its New Line Cinema studio and distribution subsidiary. It will be directed by Andy Serkis with Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens as producers,Jennifer Maas, Warner Bros. to Release First New ‘Lord of the Rings’ Movie ‘The Hunt for Gollum’ in 2026, Peter Jackson to Produce and Andy Serkis to Direct, Variety, May 9, 2024. and is set to be released in 2026.Drew Taylor, Andy Serkis to Direct New ‘Lord of the Rings’ Movie ‘The Hunt for Gollum,’ 2026 Release Set, Variety, May 9, 2024.
== Cast ==
*Andy Serkis as GollumJames Whitbrook, Warner Bros Really Hopes It's Putting Out a New Lord of the Rings Gollum Prequel In 2026, Gizmodo, May 9, 2024
== Plot ==
The film depicts the titular "hunt for Gollum," prior to the events of The Fellowship of the Ring. During this period, Aragorn, Gandalf, and Sauron are all looking for Gollum. The story is told from Gollum's perspective.Shaw, Angel, Peter Jackson Has Learned His Lesson From Lord Of The Rings, ScreenRant, June 3, 2024
== Development ==
Discussions for another Lord of the Rings film began sometime after the release of The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.Mike Flemming Jr., Peter Jackson, Andy Serkis & Philippa Boyens Explain Why They’re Returning To Middle-Earth For ‘The Lord Of The Rings: The Hunt For Gollum’ 23 Years After Cannes Saved The Billion-Dollar Franchise, Deadline, May 24, 2024. Serkis was brought onboard in approx. November, 2023, as Warner Bros. wanted to rejuvinate the Middle-earth IP, starting with a Gollum film. Serkis was asked to direct.Joshua Lapin-Bertone, Lord of the Rings: The Hunt For Gollum director/star Andy Serkis says title change may be coming, and so are some returning characters from the original trilogy, Popverse, June 26, 2024
== Notes ==
*As of May, 2024, The Hunt for Gollum is one of two The Lord of the Rings films intended to be produced. The second is another live-action movie that is currently unnamed.Farrell, James, What We Know About New ‘Lord Of The Rings’ Movie Slated For 2026 Release. Forbes, May 9, 2024.
*Ian McKellen stated in June, 2024, that he had heard Gandalf would appear in the film, but that he had not been approached to reprise the role.Russell, Brady, Ian McKellen has 'heard' Gandalf will appear in the next Lord of the Rings film, but isn't sure if he's playing him. MSN, June 10, 2024 In September of the same year, he confirmed that he had been approached to reprise it for both Hunt and other films that would involve Gandalf.Wilding, Josh, LORD OF THE RINGS: THE HUNT FOR GOLLUM - Ian McKellen Confirms He's Been Approached For New LOTR Movies. Comic Book Movie, September 2, 2024
**In the same month, Serkis hinted that there would be characters returning to the film, stating "there may be characters that we recognize that might be coming back. I’m not going to say who."Lapin-Bertone, Joshua, Lord of the Rings: The Hunt For Gollum director/star Andy Serkis says title change may be coming, and so are some returning characters from the original trilogy. Popverse, June 26, 2024
*In September 2024, it was confirmed that Orlando Bloom had spoken to Serkis concerning reprising his role as Legolas. The use of AI to make the character appear younger was discussed.Cassidy, Mark, Orlando Bloom Has Spoken To Andy Serkis About Returning As Legolas For LOTR: THE HUNT FOR GOLLUM. SFF Gazette, September 7, 2024
== References ==