Andy Serkis To Direct, Star In 'Lord Of The Rings: The Hunt For Gollum' Set For 2026 Release

Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav revealed in a recent earnings call that the first of two new Lord Of The Rings upcoming Warner films, tentatively titled Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, will have Andy Serkis directing and starring in it. The screenplay will be written by Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou. Ken Kamins will serve as executive producer, while Jonathan Cavendish from The Imaginarium will also be involved. Peter Jackson, along with Walsh and Boyens, will be producing the film.

Said Warner Bros. Motion Pictures heads Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy, “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. 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.”

Said Jackson, Walsh and Boyens: “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! 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!”

And Serkis said — “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. 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…”.

Source: Deadline