The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum Wraps Filming

Andy Serkis has confirmed that principal photography has finished on The Hunt for Gollum. Serkis is directing the new Lord of the Rings film and reprising the title role. The movie is scheduled for release on Dec. 17, 2027.

Serkis shared the news in an interview on The Morning Mosh Pit. He said he would not reveal much about the film yet because promoting it will be his focus all of next year. He did describe making it as “an incredible journey.”

Jamie Dornan, who takes over the role of Aragorn from Viggo Mortensen, also told Variety that he had finished shooting his scenes about three weeks ago.

Dornan is one of the few actors taking on a role played by someone else in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. Alongside Serkis, Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen return as Frodo Baggins and Gandalf, respectively.

Newcomers play original characters who have not appeared in live action before, including Kate Winslet as Marigol, Leo Woodall as Halvard and Anya Taylor-Joy as Seren. The film is an interquel to The Fellowship of the Ring, following Aragorn after Gandalf sends him to capture Gollum for information about the One Ring.

Andy Serkis on Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Serkis is best known for films including Lord of the Rings and Planet of the Apes, but he is also a longtime video game fan who has worked on several titles. Most recently, he provided the English voice of the antagonist Renoir in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

Serkis called the game “a beautiful piece of work,” though he said he had not yet had a chance to play it himself.

He is also set to reprise his role as Alfred in The Batman Part 2, starring Robert Pattinson. The film has faced several delays, most recently after director Matt Reeves stepped away from production. Filming resumed in London after Steven Soderbergh stepped in to complete it.

A stand-in for Serkis was seen on set during earlier filming. With The Hunt for Gollum now finished shooting, Serkis is expected to film his scenes for The Batman Part 2, which is due in theaters on Feb. 18, 2028.

Source: Polygon