{"id":51090,"date":"2024-05-09T17:03:12","date_gmt":"2024-05-09T15:03:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=2038166"},"modified":"2024-05-09T18:22:39","modified_gmt":"2024-05-09T16:22:39","slug":"andy-serkis-to-star-in-and-direct-film-lord-of-the-rings-the-hunt-for-gollum","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/andy-serkis-to-star-in-and-direct-film-lord-of-the-rings-the-hunt-for-gollum\/","title":{"rendered":"Andy Serkis to star in and direct film Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum"},"content":{"rendered":"

Original trilogy director Peter Jackson is set to produce. <\/p>

By Molly Moss\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 09 May 2024 at 15:03 PM<\/p>

\n\n

Andy Serkis will return as fan-favourite character Gollum in a new Lord of the Rings movie, Warner Bros has confirmed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Serkis<\/a> is also set to direct the latest instalment in the franchise, which will focus on the actor\u2019s character Gollum, while original trilogy director Peter Jackson will produce the project.<\/span><\/p>\n

The current working title for the film is Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, and it will be the first of a new batch of movies, set within Middle-earth, that are scheduled for release in the next decade and beyond.<\/span><\/p>\n

According to Warner Bros Discovery CEO David Zaslav (per Variety<\/a>), Jackson will produce the film alongside <\/span>Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, with the trio \u201cinvolved every step of the way\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

The movie will <\/span>\u201cexplore storylines yet to be told\u201d, according to Zaslav, and is \u201cnow in the early stages of script development\u201d, with Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou attached as writers.<\/span><\/p>\n

While we know Serkis is set to return as Gollum, further cast members are yet to be announced.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Andy\n<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/picture>\n<\/div>
Andy Serkis.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/div>\n

In a statement about the film, Serkis called the project \u201cdelicious\u201d, saying: \u201cYesssss, Precious. The time has come once more to venture into the unknown with my dear friends, the extraordinary and incomparable guardians of Middle-earth Peter, Fran and Philippa.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWith Mike and Pam, and the Warner Bros. team on the quest as well, alongside WETA and our filmmaking family in New Zealand, it\u2019s just all too delicious\u2026\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Jackson, Walsh and Boyens added: \u201cIt is an honour and a privilege to travel back to Middle-earth with our good friend and collaborator, Andy Serkis, who has unfinished business with that Stinker \u2013 Gollum! <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs lifelong fans of Professor Tolkien\u2019s vast mythology, we are proud to be working with Mike De Luca, Pam Abdy and the entire team at Warner Bros on another epic adventure!\u201d<\/span><\/p>

Meanwhile, Warner Bros studio leaders Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy said in a joint statement: \u201c<\/span>For over two decades, moviegoers have embraced the <\/span>Lord of the Rings<\/span>film trilogy because of the undeniable devotion Peter, Fran and Philippa have shown towards protecting the legacy of Tolkien\u2019s works, and to ensure audiences could experience the incredible world he created in a way that honors his literary vision.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

They added: \u201cWe are honoured they have agreed be our partners on these two new films. With Andy coming aboard to direct <\/span>Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum<\/span>, we continue an important commitment to excellence that is a true hallmark of how we all want to venture ahead and further contribute to the <\/span>Lord of the Rings<\/span> cinematic history.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n