Back in March, we got word that a new Lord of the Rings movie is hit theaters in 2026, with Andy Serkis set to direct and reprise the role of Gollum.
Original LOTR trilogy director Peter Jackson and his writing partners Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens are also on board as producers, and “will be involved every step of the way” according to Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav.
The movie's working title is The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, which should give you a pretty good idea of what the story will focus on! The movie will likely be set shortly before the events of Jackson's trilogy.
This time period is mentioned in the books, with both Gandalf and Aragorn attempting to track Gollum down before he falls into Sauron's hands.
We had assumed that younger actors will be cast in these roles, but it sounds like Ian McKellen has been in touch with the studio about a potential return as Gandalf - though he hasn't had an official offer.
"I haven’t shaved in months,” the veteran actor tells The LA Times. “But there is no script, there is no offer, there is no plan.” McKellen adds that he might be interested, before adding with a chuckle, “If I’m alive.”
McKellen is still going strong at 85, and de-ageing technology has come a long way since we saw him as a younger Magneto in X-Men: The Last Stand.
“It 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 – Gollum!,” Jackson, Boyens and Walsh said in a statement when the film was announced. “As life long fans of Professor Tolkien’s 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!”
“Yesssss, 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,” added Serkis. “With Mike and Pam, and the Warner Bros team on the quest as well, alongside WETA and our film making family in New Zealand, it’s just all too delicious…”.
“For over two-decades, moviegoers have embraced the Lord of the Rings film trilogy because of the undeniable devotion Peter, Fran and Philippa have shown towards protecting the legacy of Tolkien’s works, and to ensure audiences could experience the incredible world he created in a way that honors his literary vision,” WBD film chiefs Pam Abdy and Michael De Luca added. “We are honored they have agreed be our partners on these two new films. With Andy coming aboard to direct Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum(*WT), 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 Lord of the Rings cinematic history.”
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