Peter Jackson is heavily involved in this new The Lord of the Rings trilogy, however it is not him, but Andy Serkis who is directing The Hunt for Gollum and the filmmaker explains why. Jackson of course directed The Lord of the Rings trilogy and won an Oscar for his trouble. Then, Jackson returned after the departure of Guillermo Del Toro to direct a trilogy of The Hobbit. Now, the less said about that Hobbit trilogy the better in my book. It should have been one movie without all the added fan fiction nonsense. However, the studio wanted three films to make three times as much money.

Now we have at least two more films confirmed in what is rumored to be a new Lord of the Rings trilogy. The first of these will be The Hunt for Gollum and whilst still heavily involved as a producer, Jackson has handed the directing reigns over to Andy Serkis. Serkis of course famously played the Gollum/Smeagol character in Jackson’s films. 

As per Deadline, 

‘“I could have directed it, but I thought, I’ve done that,” said Peter Jackson today at his Cannes Film Festival Rendez-Vous about why he’s sitting out as director on Lord of the Rings: Hunt for Gollum.’

“It would be more interesting with this particular story –which takes place between Hobbit and Lord of the Rings — if Andy Serkis directed it,” said the 3x Oscar winner who picked up an honorary Palme d’Or last night.’

‘Then teasing the new film, Jackson said, “It’s an internal story about Gollum’s psychology and addiction. It’s a personal story to Gollum. Andy knows this guy better than anybody. I didn’t think about me. The more exiting version of this movie is if Any Serkis made it.”’

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There are clearly two timelines at play in this film and we’ve known this for a time. One one hand the backstory of Smeagol/Gollum, which I think will show his banishment and retreat to he mountains. The other will be Aragorn searching for Gollum on the behest of Gandalf. Perhaps the film follows Gollum as he leaves the mountains to search for Baggins and his memory flashes us back to his younger days? Meanwhile Gandalf decides it would wise to question Gollum.

Though it is worth pointing out in the books the initial search for Gollum is fruitless and abandoned, before being picked up rather urgently after the events of Bilbo’s departing Bag End. I guess they may squish these events together for the film, but I have no idea?

So what do you think as Peter Jackson explains why he didn’t direct The Hunt for Gollum and Andy Serkis did?

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