Andy Serkis marks start of production on ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum’
Production has officially started on The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. Andy Serkis is directing the film and returning to perform the role of Gollum and his alter ego, Sméagol. A video released by Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema shows Serkis arriving on set in a motion-capture suit for the first day of filming. In the footage, he steps into character to shout the first command to the crew.
Several actors from the original trilogy are returning for this project. Ian McKellen is back as Gandalf the Grey, while Elijah Wood returns as Frodo Baggins. Lee Pace will reprise his role as Thrandruil. The cast also includes new faces for the franchise, such as Jamie Dornan playing Strider and Leo Woodall as the Dúnedain Ranger Halvard.
Kate Winslet joins the production as well. She will portray Marigol, a matriarch among the Stoors, as the story focuses on the past and the origins of the character once known as Sméagol. The narrative follows the hunt for Gollum across Middle-earth, with Strider leading the mission and Halvard providing support.
The film is scheduled to arrive in theaters on December 17, 2027.