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The sales of the trilogy of “The Lord of the Rings” amounted to $2,935,233,850 at the global box office.
Warner Bros. is diving back into the fantastical realm of Middle-earth with a new live-action The Lord of the Rings film set to hit theaters in 2026. This time, the spotlight will shine on one of the franchise’s most beloved and complex characters: Gollum, played by the incomparable Andy Serkis.
According to Variety, the upcoming film, currently titled “Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum,” will explore storylines yet to be told about the tragic figure, whose obsession with the One Ring drove him to madness. Serkis, who brought Gollum to life through his groundbreaking motion-capture performance in the original trilogy, will reprise his iconic role, both directing and starring in the new project.
Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav revealed the exciting news during an earnings call on Thursday, confirming that original “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy filmmakers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens are producing the movie and “will be involved every step of the way.”
The script is currently in the early stages of development, with Walsh and Boyens collaborating with writers Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou to bring Gollum’s untold tales to life on the big screen.
“We are thrilled to delve deeper into the rich, complex world of Middle-earth and explore the fascinating character of Gollum,” said Zaslav. “With Andy Serkis at the helm, bringing his unparalleled talent and expertise to the project, we know this film will captivate audiences and offer a fresh perspective on one of the most iconic characters in literary history.”
Serkis’ portrayal of Gollum in the original “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy was hailed as a groundbreaking achievement in motion-capture technology and acting. His ability to seamlessly embody the tormented creature, oscillating between its two distinct personalities – the sly, manipulative Gollum and the softer, more sympathetic Sméagol – left an indelible mark on cinematic history.
Joining Serkis as executive producers are Ken Kamins and The Imaginarium’s Jonathan Cavendish, ensuring that the film will stay true to the spirit of J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved works while exploring new narrative territory.
As fans eagerly await more details about “Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum,” one thing is certain: Andy Serkis’ return to the role that made him a legend promises an unforgettable journey into the depths of Middle-earth’s darkest corners.
