A new “Lord of the Rings” part is scheduled to come in 2026. The main character Gollum also takes over the direction of the film.
There’s good news for the “Lord of the Rings” fans among you: It’s going back to Middle-earth! Warner Bros. Pictures has announced a new film with the working title “Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” set to be released in theaters in 2026.
One person is particularly excited about the project: Andy Serkis, the actor of the well-known film character Gollum. He writes on Instagram: “We’re back, my darling!”
Gollum is not only the main character in the film – but also the director!
This time, however, Andy Serkis will not only be seen on screen as Gollum: he will also be active behind it! Because the 60-year-old is taking over the direction of the film. According to US media, it is produced by Peter Jackson, his wife Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens. All three had already worked together on the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy. In a statement to Variety they said:
It’s an honor and a privilege to travel back to Middle-earth with our good friend and collaborator Andy Serkis, who still has a score to settle with the stinky Gollum!
Fans are looking forward to a film with Gollum – but…
The “Lord of the Rings” fans definitely seem to be very excited about the new film. There are jubilant comments under Serkis’ Instagram post, especially because the original team from the first three films is back in production.
But some fans also have concerns: “The only thing I’m nervous about is too much CGI. Please don’t make it look like ‘The Hobbit’ again. We want an authentic Lord of the Rings style,” writes one user and receives a lot of approval in the form of likes. Another wants the “physical effects, VfX, props and prosthetics like in the original trilogy” back.
But many fans agree even on these concerns: With Andy Serkis and the three producers of the first “Lord of the Rings” films, this shouldn’t be a problem.
Another “Lord of the Rings” film: in cinemas this year
To bridge the waiting time for the new film with Gollum, we have a little tip: The animated fantasy saga “Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” will be released in cinemas in December 2024. The prequel by Japanese anime director Kenji Kamiyama is about the prequel to the original trilogy. It takes place almost 261 years before “Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers”, the second part of the trilogy.
By the way: This volcano was already there this year „Lady of the Rings“:
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