Lord of the Rings: New Films Explore Gollum & Unseen Chapters

Andy Serkis is set to direct “The Hunt for Gollum,” a new feature film focusing on the origins of the character Gollum, with Peter Jackson producing, Nostalgie.be reported Wednesday.

The film will explore the history of the character, formerly known as Sméagol, and his descent into corruption through his possession of the One Ring. Serkis, who famously portrayed Gollum through motion capture in Peter Jackson’s original “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, will take the directorial helm. The project represents a return to Middle-earth for both Serkis and Jackson.

In addition to “The Hunt for Gollum,” Jackson is also developing another film, titled “Shadow of the Past,” in collaboration with Stephen Colbert, the American television host and noted Tolkien enthusiast. According to Nostalgie.be, “Shadow of the Past” aims to adapt previously unfilmed sections of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Fellowship of the Ring,” specifically focusing on the early chapters of the novel.

Colbert, in a video shared by Warner Bros. On social media, stated his intention to remain faithful to both the source material and the established cinematic universe of “The Lord of the Rings.”

“The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King,” the final installment of Jackson’s original trilogy, was released in 2003, grossing $1.148 billion worldwide, according to Wikipedia. The film starred Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, and Andy Serkis, among others.

IMDb lists “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” as currently in pre-production, with a planned release in 2027.