Lord of the Rings new movie producer teases Hunt for Gollum plot | Films | Entertainment

Sméagol star Andy Serkis is set to star in and direct The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum in New Zealand this year, where pre-production is well under way.

The story takes place during The Fellowship of the Ring, but was omitted from Peter Jackson’s 2001 film adaptation and occurred off-screen.

After Bilbo’s party, Gandalf sent Aragorn to capture Gollum, so the wizard could question him about the ring.

Both Sir Ian McKellen and Elijah Wood are returning as Gandalf and Frodo over 25 years on from the original.

Meanwhile, it’s unclear whether Viggo Mortensen will reprise the role of Aragorn by being digitally de-aged or if he will be recast.

Whatever the case, Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies screenwriter Philippa Boyens is back on scribe duties on The Hunt for Gollum and teased what Tolkien fans can expect.

Speaking with Empire, she said: “It’s an adventure story with a really strong psychological, interior story that’s going on as well.”

Meanwhile, Serkis himself added, “We have a very specific task ahead of us. A return to Middle-earth, that satisfies the passion and the love that generations of Lord Of The Rings fans have for these stories, whilst also presenting something completely fresh and new for first-timers to Middle-earth, with one of Tolkien’s richest and most complex characters at its heart.” 

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum hits cinemas December 2027.