Andy Serkis Says ‘I Can’t Escape’ Gollum Before Flying to New Zealand to Begin New ‘Lord of the Rings’ Movie: ‘We’re Going Down to Start Prep’

Andy Serkis recently told Metro that he is heading to New Zealand this month to begin work on “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum,” the new “Rings” movie that he is starring in and directing. Warner Bros. has already announced the movie will open in theaters Dec. 17, 2027. “Gollum” will be the first live-action “Rings” movie since 2014’s “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies,” directed by Peter Jackson.

“I’m very excited to go back. I leave for New Zealand on Saturday [Sept. 6],” Serkis said. “We’re going down to start prep and working on it, because I’m directing. I’m thrilled to return to the family that I’ve loved working with for many years, and a character that I cannot escape from.”

Warner Bros. first announced “The Hunt for Gollum” in summer 2024 and originally said it would be ready for theaters in 2026, which then got delayed to December 2027. Serkis is directing the tentpole and once again starring in the title role, which he’s been playing via motion capture since 2002’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers.” Serkis’ directorial efforts include “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle” and “Venom: Let There Be Carnage.”

Peter Jackson, who directed “The Lord of the Ring” and “The Hobbit” trilogies, is producing “The Hunt for Gollum” with longtime “Rings” collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens. Warner Bros. stressed when announcing “Gollum” that the trio “will be involved every step of the way.”

Boyens previously told Empire magazine that “The Hunt for Gollum” is “quite an intense story” that “falls after the birthday party of Bilbo and before the Mines of Moria. It’s a specific chunk of incredible untold story, told through the perspective of this incredible creature.” Original “Rings” cast members like Ian McKellen (Gandalf), Orlando Bloom (Legolas) and Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn) have all expressed interest in returning for the new film should the story make sense for their characters to appear, although no additional casting has been confirmed.

McKellen revealed at London’s For Love of Fantasy event in August that Gandalf, the character he played, and Frodo, played by Elijah Wood, would be back for “The Hunt for Gollum.” It’s unclear at this time in what capacity the characters will be featured.