Producer and screenwriter Philippa Boyens shared details about the film "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum", directed by Andy Serkis. In an interview with Empire magazine, timed to coincide with the 25th anniversary of the release of the first film in the franchise, Boyens noted that the film will be structured as an adventure story with a pronounced internal and psychological line of the main character.
According to her, the plot will focus on Smeagol and his internal conflict during the search for the One Ring. The authors intend to reveal in more depth the character of one of the most complex and multifaceted characters in the legendarium of J. R. R. Tolkien.
Serkis, in a separate comment for Empire, called the return to the role of Gollum an important and emotional stage in his career. He emphasized that working on the film is both inspiring and frightening, and the team's task is to bring viewers back to Middle-earth, while maintaining respect for the franchise's legacy and offering a new perspective for those who are just beginning to get acquainted with this world.
The film takes place in parallel with the events of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring" and is based on episodes not shown in the 2001 film adaptation. During this period, Gandalf instructs Aragorn to find and capture Gollum in order to find out the fate of the Ring.
The film will be released worldwide on December 17, 2027. Filming will begin in the coming months in New Zealand. The production involves the team of the original Peter Jackson trilogy. In addition to Andy Serkis, Ian McKellen as Gandalf and Elijah Wood as Frodo will return to their roles. Information about the return of other actors from the original trilogy has not yet been disclosed.