Warner Bros. has announced a new “Lord of the Rings” film set for release in 2026. Titled “The Hunt for Gollum,” the film will be produced by Peter Jackson and directed by Andy Serkis, who will reprise his iconic role as Gollum. This announcement has sparked great excitement among fans worldwide.
By Sadie Watkins
Revival of Original Creators
The new film is being produced by the original “Lord of the Rings” filmmakers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens. According to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav, they will be involved “every step of the way.” The script is currently in early development stages, led by Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou. This film promises to explore previously untold stories from Tolkien’s world.
Expanding Middle-earth Plans
Warner Bros. had already announced in February 2023 that multiple films based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved books were in the works. These projects will be developed under the New Line Cinema label. A separate animated Middle-earth film, “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim,” is set to be released on December 13 and will take place 200 years before “The Hobbit.”
Commitment to Tolkien’s Legacy
Warner Bros. studio heads Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy emphasized their commitment to protecting Tolkien’s legacy and creating a cinematic experience that honors his literary vision. They expressed their enthusiasm for working with Serkis as the director of “The Hunt for Gollum,” highlighting the significance of this continuation for the “Lord of the Rings” film history.
Serkis’ Enthusiasm and Future Plans
Andy Serkis expressed his excitement about returning to the role of Gollum and collaborating with Jackson, Walsh, and Boyens on this project. He underscored the importance of working with WETA and the film team in New Zealand. Returning to Tolkien’s world is a “delicious” challenge for him.
The original “Lord of the Rings” trilogy directed by Peter Jackson grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide and won 17 Oscars. With “The Hunt for Gollum,” the creators are returning to the roots of their success, promising another epic adventure in Middle-earth. This announcement raises high expectations and anticipation for the upcoming films.
Based on content from www.variety.com