This week, Serkis is flying to New Zealand, where pre-production will begin on the new Warner Bros. film — "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum." The film will be the first in the series after the completion of the "Hobbit" trilogy, and Serkis himself will not only return to the image of Gollum, but also take the director's chair.
"I am very excited to return. On Saturday, September 6, I am flying to New Zealand. We are starting preparation and work because I am the director. I am thrilled to be returning to the family I have worked with for many years, and to a character that I can't seem to escape."
The film will be the first film in the franchise after the completion of the "Hobbit" trilogy. Veterans of the original series are working on the project: Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens have returned as producers and will be involved in all stages.
The plot of "The Hunt for Gollum," as Boyens clarified in an interview with Empire, unfolds after Bilbo's birthday and before the events in Moria. According to her, this is a "rich and intimate story" told from the perspective of Gollum himself — one of the most tragic characters in Tolkien's universe.
The detailed cast is still being kept secret, but Ian McKellen is expected to return as Gandalf and Elijah Wood as Frodo. McKellen himself has already hinted at his participation in the project in August.
"The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum" will be released in theaters on December 17, 2027.