Filming for the new Lord of the Rings has begun

Actor and director Andy Serkis has officially wrapped the first week of production for the latest installment in the franchise, The Hunt for Gollum, with cameras now rolling on location in New Zealand.

Serkis offered high praise for Jamie Dornan, who has been cast as Aragorn:

I must say, Jamie is doing an incredible job. He is absolutely fantastic,

Serkis remarked. He also confirmed that artificial intelligence is being utilized to handle the de-aging process for the characters.

Serkis himself will reprise his iconic role as the tormented creature, Gollum. The film features a star-studded ensemble cast, including Kate Winslet, Anya Taylor-Joy, Leo Woodall, and Lee Pace, alongside returning legends from the original trilogy, Elijah Wood (Frodo Baggins) and Ian McKellen (Gandalf the Grey).

The Hunt for Gollum is set during the timeframe leading up to and coinciding with the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring, unfolding from the unique perspective of the titular antagonist. Original film trilogy director Peter Jackson is contributing to the screenplay.

Warner Bros. is scheduled to release the film in theaters globally on December 17, 2027.

Source: Film.ru