Middle-earth is officially back in production. Warner Bros. has released the first behind-the-scenes footage from The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, and it centers on the one person fans have been waiting to see: Andy Serkis, back in a motion-capture suit as Gollum for the first time in over a decade — this time also sitting in the director's chair.
Watch the First Set Footage
What the Footage Shows
The brief clip, filmed on day one of principal photography in New Zealand, follows Serkis walking onto set already suited up for motion capture. He flips through the script and checks in with a crew member on where to begin, then drops into Gollum's signature crouch, hunches his shoulders, and twists into the character's familiar snarl before calling "action" himself. The footage closes on a sweeping drone shot of the New Zealand mountains where the original trilogy was filmed, signaling the production is back on its home turf, as first reported by Deadline.
A Homecoming Behind the Camera Too
This isn't just Serkis reprising a role — it's a genuine reunion of the creative team that built the franchise. Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens are all returning in key roles behind the camera, with Walsh and Boyens also credited on the screenplay alongside Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou. Serkis has spoken about what the reunion means to him personally, telling Variety that much of the crew has worked on the franchise for around 25 years, with some now bringing their own children into the production.
Where the Story Fits in the Timeline
The Hunt for Gollum is set between Bilbo's 111th birthday party and the early events of The Fellowship of the Ring — specifically the period when Gandalf, worried that Gollum might reveal the location of the One Ring to Sauron, dispatches Aragorn to track him down. Writer Philippa Boyens has described it as an intense, psychologically driven story rather than a straightforward retread, and Serkis has been careful to frame it as its own tale rather than a nostalgia piece.
The Full Cast
The film blends returning franchise veterans with new additions:
- Andy Serkis as Gollum/Sméagol (also directing)
- Ian McKellen as Gandalf
- Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins
- Lee Pace as Thranduil
- Jamie Dornan as Strider/a younger Aragorn, stepping into the role originated by Viggo Mortensen
- Kate Winslet as Marigol, an original character created for the film
- Leo Woodall as Halvard, another new character
- Anya Taylor-Joy as Seren, a Sindar Elf described as a trusted agent of Thranduil
Mortensen declined to reprise Aragorn, but Serkis has said the actor was supportive of Dornan taking on a younger version of the character for this pre-trilogy story, according to Yahoo Entertainment.
The Technology Has Changed Since Serkis Last Played Gollum
Serkis has pointed out that motion-capture technology has advanced significantly since the original trilogy, when the process was largely confined to interior sets and facial performances had to be hand-animated by artists copying his expressions. Advances made through projects like the Planet of the Apes films have since allowed for real-time, untethered performance capture — meaning this version of Gollum should be a technical leap forward from the character audiences first met in 2002.
Release Date and What's Next
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is scheduled to arrive in theaters on December 17, 2027. Filming is expected to continue through the end of 2026, leaving roughly a year for the visual effects work still ahead. A separate follow-up film, currently known by the working title The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past, is also in development, with Boyens joined by Stephen Colbert and Peter McGee on the script.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Andy Serkis directing The Hunt for Gollum?
Yes. Serkis is both directing the film and reprising his role as Gollum/Sméagol, making this his feature directorial return to the franchise that made him famous.
When does The Hunt for Gollum come out?
It's scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on December 17, 2027.
Is Viggo Mortensen returning as Aragorn?
No. Mortensen declined to reprise the role. Jamie Dornan plays a younger version of the character, referred to as Strider, since the story is set decades before the original trilogy.
What is The Hunt for Gollum about?
It follows Aragorn's mission, ordered by Gandalf, to track down Gollum before he can reveal the location of the One Ring to Sauron — set between the start of The Fellowship of the Ring and Bilbo's birthday party.
Are Peter Jackson and the original creative team involved?
Yes. Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens are all attached as producers and/or writers, alongside Serkis.
Sources
- Deadline – "Andy Serkis Directs 'The Hunt For Gollum' In Character: See The Set Footage"
- Variety – "'The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum' Starts Filming With First Set Footage"
- Yahoo Entertainment – "The Hunt for Gollum Cast: Which Stars are Confirmed"
- Deadline – "Anya Taylor-Joy Joins 'The Lord Of The Rings: The Hunt For Gollum' Cast"
