Apparently, the new “Lord of the Rings” films (starting with “The Hunt for Gollum”) will focus on Gollum himself, the creepy Stoor-Hobbit-turned-monster who became obsessed with the universe’s hypnotic, power-hungry One Ring. The new movies were first announced over a year ago (news that also came from Zaslav himself). Serkis commented on “The Hunt for Gollum” in a statement of his own:
“Yesssss, Precious. The time has come once more to venture into the unknown with my dear friends, the extraordinary and incomparable guardians of Middle-earth Peter, Fran and Philippa. With Mike and Pam, and the Warner Bros team on the quest as well, alongside WETA and our filmmaking family in New Zealand, it’s just all too delicious…”
Aside from “Venom: Let There Be Carnage,” Serkis has also directed the films “Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle” and “Breathe,” and is set to helm an upcoming film adaptation of George Orwell’s “Animal Farm” (something he’s apparently wanted to do for years). He’s also become the face of motion-capture acting, winning praise and recognition for his turns in movies like the modern “Planet of the Apes” series and Jackson’s “King Kong.” Zaslav was mum about any other details related to the upcoming “Lord of the Rings” films on the earnings call, noting that the movies will “explore storylines yet to be told.” It’s safe to assume the movies will be available in theaters, as the businessman also called them “a significant opportunity for theatrical business.”
“Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” will arrive at some point in 2026.