The Hunt for Gollum Video Unveils First Look at Andy Serkis’ Return

Warner Bros. shares a new video announcing the start of The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum production. The upcoming film will see original Gollum actor Andy Serkis reprise the role 14 years after his last appearance as the character.

What do we see in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum video?

The new Hunt for Gollum video briefly shows Serkis stepping back into the role of Gollum, adorned in a performance capture suit, teasing fans about what’s to come. Walking onto the virtual set, Serkis slips back into playing Sméagol or Gollum. The video ends with a shot of the film crew also shooting exterior shots in a mountainous region, as music from the original trilogy plays in the background.

The film will tell the story of the unadapted chapters from The Fellowship of the Ring. In J.R.R. Tolkien’s source material, Gandalf sends Aragorn, then known as Strider, to hunt for Gollum. Plot details for The Hunt for Gollum remain under wraps. The film is expected to be set before and during the events of the first film. Part of its story was previously adapted in the eponymous 2009 fan film.

The film recently cast Kate Winslet in an undisclosed role. Following her, Dune Part 3 star Anya Taylor-Joy was also cast as Seren, an elf. Lord of the Rings star Elijah Wood, who plays Frodo, will reprise the role in the film, along with Ian McKellen returning as Gandalf. The film will recast the role of Aragorn, with Jamie Dornan in the role. Viggo Mortensen played the character in the original trilogy.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum releases in theaters on December 17, 2027.