New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures are returning to Middle-earth, with Andy Serkis set to direct a new The Lord of the Rings movie, The Hunt for Gollum (working title). The film is being produced by Peter Jackson and written by longtime collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens.
This weekend, Ian McKellen teased fans with fresh details during a fan event in London, where he appeared on stage with Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan. “I hear there’s going to be another movie set in Middle-earth, and it’s going to start filming in May. It’s going to be directed by Gollum, and it’s all about Gollum,” he told the For The Love Of Fantasy event. “I’ll tell you two secrets about the casting: There’s a character in the movie called Frodo, and there’s a character in the movie called Gandalf. Apart from that, my lips are sealed.” he said.
McKellen didn’t officially confirm whether he and Wood will reprise their roles in this new The Lord of the Rings movie, but his comments strongly suggest their return. The actor has previously said he would gladly return to his role as Gandalf, remarking last year: “I’ve just been told there are going to be more films and Gandalf will be involved, and they hope that I’ll be playing him.”
Boyens has previously hinted that the story will take place between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, covering the period between Bilbo’s birthday party and the Fellowship’s journey through the Mines of Moria.
Filming is expected to take place in New Zealand, with Andy Serkis both directing and once again performing Gollum through motion capture.
