{"id":1933222,"date":"2026-05-13T14:46:48","date_gmt":"2026-05-13T11:46:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1933222"},"modified":"2026-05-13T14:46:48","modified_gmt":"2026-05-13T11:46:48","slug":"peter-jackson-has-explained-why-hes-not-directing-lord-of-the-rings-the-hunt-for-gollum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1933222","title":{"rendered":"Peter Jackson Has Explained Why He&#8217;s Not Directing Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-cy=\"article-content\" class=\"jsx-2870106660 article-content page-0\">\n<section data-cy=\"article-subtitle\" class=\"article jsx-3932497636 article-section jsx-28683165 news\" data-autopogo=\"true\">\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson has explained why he&#8217;s not in charge of the franchise&#8217;s next chapter \u2014 The Hunt for Gollum \u2014 and why he thinks Gollum actor Andy Serkis will do a &#8220;more exciting&#8221; job.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Speaking at the Cannes film festival (via <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Variety\/status\/2054506488375193737\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Variety<\/a>), Jackson answered questions around the upcoming Middle-earth movie \u2014 the first of several to revive the franchise for the big screen over the next couple of years. <\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">As its name suggests, The Hunt for Gollum will see numerous characters (Gandalf! Aragorn! Sauron!) tracking the fallen hobbit to find out what has become of the One Ring. It&#8217;s a prequel to Fellowship of the Ring (where we discover that Bilbo has had it all along), and a further chance for Andy Serkis to show off his motion capture mastery.<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"jsx-2228525885\"><\/button><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">The Lord of the Rings Movies in (Chronological) Order<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;h3&gt;1. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)&lt;\/h3&gt;\nThe only potential confusion in the Lord of the Rings-Hobbit timeline comes from the fact that The Hobbit trilogy is set 60 years before The Lord of the Rings, despite being released a decade later.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nChronologically, the story kicks off with 2012\u2019s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which sees Martin Freeman take on the role of a younger Bilbo Baggins (played by Ian Holm in the LotR trilogy). Gandalf \u2013\u00a0one of several characters whose stories run through both trilogies \u2014\u00a0recruits Bilbo to join Thorin (Richard Armitage) and Company to help reclaim the Dwarven kingdom beneath Erebor, aka The Lonely Mountain, that had been sacked by the dragon Smaug. Along the way, Bilbo encounters Gollum for the first time and comes into possession of the One Ring.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3381835873 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2072772685 jsx-4243969252 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;h3&gt;2. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)&lt;\/h3&gt;\nThorin and Company continue their journey toward The Lonely Mountain, fending off giant spiders and orcs along the way. Orlando Bloom\u2019s Legolas (another LotR staple) joins the fray alongside newcomer Tauriel (played by Ant-Man\u2019s Evangeline Lilly). While the company reaches Esgaroth, a lake-town south of Erebor, Bilbo descends into the mountain, where he encounters Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch). Smaug ultimately leaves his lair and departs for Esgaroth, setting up the conclusion of The Hobbit trilogy.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 7 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;h3&gt;3. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)&lt;\/h3&gt;\nThe conflict with Smaug is resolved and the film\u2019s titular battle ensues involving the armies of men, dwarves, elves, and two tribes of orcs. We\u2019re being extra vague here as The Battle of the Five Armies is ripe with resolution (and therefore spoilers), but prepare for an action-heavy film that ultimately leaves off where The Lord of the Rings trilogy begins: back at the Shire, 60 years later, as Gandalf visits Bilbo on his 111th birthday.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;h3&gt;4. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)&lt;\/h3&gt;\nThe first Middle-earth film by release date (and the fourth chronologically) is 2001\u2019s The Fellowship of the Ring. The perspective shifts from Bilbo to his much-younger cousin Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood). Following some exposition that sets up the current state of affairs in Middle-earth, we return to Bilbo\u2019s 111th birthday celebration in the Shire.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nBilbo departs on one last adventure, leaving the One Ring with Frodo; Gandalf warns Frodo he must leave the Shire, as Sauron (the Lord of the Rings) and his evil cronies\u00a0\u2014\u00a0specifically the Nazg\u00fbl, a host of nine horse-mounted wraiths\u00a0\u2014 will be coming for the ring. Frodo departs the Shire with his best friend, Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin), along with fellow hobbits Merry and Pippen.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nAfter some perilous travel and character introductions, including Aragorn (Mortensen), Legolas (Bloom), and Saruman (Christopher Lee), a plan is devised to destroy the Ring in the fires of Mordor's Mount Doom, where the Rings of Power were forged. The plan is to be carried out by a ragtag group dubbed the Fellowship of the Ring: the wizard Gandalf; the hobbits Frodo, Samwise, Merry, and Pippen; the elf Legolas; the dwarf Gimli (John Rhys-Davies); and humans Aragorn and Boromir (Sean Bean).&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nA treacherous journey leads them to Lothl\u00f3rien, an Elven realm ruled by Cate Blanchett\u2019s Galadriel, who also appears throughout The Hobbit trilogy and is one of the main protagonists of the new Amazon series (this younger version of Galadriel is played by Morfydd Clark). Galadriel advises Frodo, and he decides to continue his journey to Mordor without the others, bringing only his most trusted confidant, Sam.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;h3&gt;5. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)&lt;\/h3&gt;\nFrodo and Sam take on a third, reluctant travel companion in Gollum (voiced by Andy Serkis), a hobbit long ago corrupted by the power of the One Ring. The trio makes it to the outskirts of Mordor, though are stalled by an unforeseen intervention. The other members of the Fellowship embark on a rescue mission; Gandalf takes a new form; and the trilogy\u2019s first epic battle occurs in the gorge of Helm\u2019s Deep.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;h3&gt;6. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)&lt;\/h3&gt;\nAs with The Battle of the Five Armies, The Return of the King\u2019s plot is essentially all spoilers, so we\u2019ll again highlight only the broadest story beats. Gollum, exploiting the influence of the Ring, pits Frodo against Sam and leads the former into the lair of a deadly foe. The other members of the Fellowship, meanwhile, partake in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields \u2014 a massive, final fight against the dark forces of Sauron.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nFrodo and Sam ultimately enter Mordor in disguise and, with help from the other members of the Fellowship, see the original plan through. With the journey concluded, we enter the Fourth Age of Middle-earth and are treated to a bittersweet finale.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;I could have directed it but I just thought, &#8216;I&#8217;ve done it,'&#8221; Jackson said, acknowledging the fact he had already helmed the full Lord of the Rings trilogy, and was only drafted in to direct The Hobbit after Guillermo del Toro dropped out. <\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;And it&#8217;s not because of me that I thought, &#8216;I&#8217;ve done it,'&#8221; Jackson continued. &#8220;I thought it would be more interesting&#8230; [if] Gollum himself, Andy Serkis, directed it. Because the film is pretty much an internal story about Gollum&#8217;s psychology and addiction.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;It&#8217;s a very personal story to Gollum, the character, and I thought that Andy knows this guy better than anybody. So I actually didn&#8217;t really think much of me at all. I thought the most exciting version of this movie is if Andy Serkis makes it because he&#8217;s going to put Gollum&#8217;s psychology on screen like you can&#8217;t imagine.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2021719738 video jsx-2008855984 aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9\">\n<div class=\"badge jsx-1349606671 jsx-3647116352\"><span class=\"ign-icon icon-play jsx-2750866048 jsx-1044454891\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-cy=\"icon-play\" aria-label=\"Play\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The Hunt for Gollum filming is now about to begin in New Zealand, with Ian McKellen back as Gandalf, Elijah Wood returning as Frodo, and Lee Pace reprising his character from The Hobbit, elven king Thranduil. Aragorn, however, has been recast \u2014 seemingly due to Viggo Mortensen declining to participate. Fifty Shades of Grey actor Jamie Dornan will now take on the Ranger&#8217;s role.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Jackson concluded by stating he was now &#8220;leaving [Serkis] to it,&#8221; while being on-hand for assistance if it was required.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;I&#8217;m leaving him to it,&#8221; Jackson said. &#8220;I&#8217;m there to help if I can help, if I can be of assistance at certain times, I&#8217;m there. But I&#8217;m giving him as much freedom as I can, because giving Andy freedom to make that movie will result in the best possible film.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is due to land in theaters on December 17, 2027. It will be followed by The Lord of the Rings: Shadows of the Past, the film now being co-written by Stephen Colbert, which will adapt unseen elements from Tolkein&#8217;s Fellowship of the Ring novel, told via flashback.<\/p>\n<p><span data-cy=\"tierlist-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<section class=\"box-wrapper jsx-2673806401\" id=\"rank-the-lord-of-the-rings-movies\" data-cy=\"rank-the-lord-of-the-rings-movies\">\n<div class=\"card jsx-1339469126 jsx-1355461925 box jsx-2627838217\">\n<div><dialog class=\"dialog tier-list-modal jsx-55470089\" aria-labelledby=\"contentLabel\"><\/dialog><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-3547261442 jsx-2986308351\"><span class=\"stack jsx-2959124702 jsx-4269505506 TierListHeader_header__xyy5a\"><span class=\"stack jsx-3647836811 jsx-4269505506 TierListHeader_title__UxzQx\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ign-icon icon-tier-list jsx-2750866048 jsx-1879929830\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-cy=\"icon-tier-list\" alt=\"Tier List\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/TierList.c19f1c86.svg?cors=0\"><\/p>\n<h3 data-cy=\"title3\" class=\"title3 jsx-12333944 jsx-2321054750 TierListHeader_full__J6p2u\">Rank the Lord of the Rings movies<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-957202555 TierListHeader_compact__7JWp1 balanced\">Rank the Lord of the Rings movies<\/h3>\n<p><\/span><\/span><span class=\"stack jsx-3547261442\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-740175521 fade-in-out\"><span class=\"stack jsx-3547261442 jsx-2986308351\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-12151557 tier-list-skeleton\"><span class=\"stack jsx-659253495 tiers\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"tier Tier_tier___6egS\">\n<div class=\"TierTitle_title__Q4E_6 TierTitle_s-tier__uaHwM\">\n<div class=\"interface jsx-326752785 jsx-3004210145 TierTitle_text__xca95 bold break-word\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tier-items-row s-tier TierItems_tier-items-row__q2OSM TierItems_s-tier__Jrv1z\" style=\"max-height:66px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tier Tier_tier___6egS\">\n<div class=\"TierTitle_title__Q4E_6 TierTitle_a-tier__z0Xky\">\n<div class=\"interface jsx-326752785 jsx-3004210145 TierTitle_text__xca95 bold break-word\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tier-items-row a-tier TierItems_tier-items-row__q2OSM TierItems_a-tier__EGxbh\" style=\"max-height:66px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tier Tier_tier___6egS\">\n<div class=\"TierTitle_title__Q4E_6 TierTitle_b-tier__nsZIP\">\n<div class=\"interface jsx-326752785 jsx-3004210145 TierTitle_text__xca95 bold break-word\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tier-items-row b-tier TierItems_tier-items-row__q2OSM TierItems_b-tier__aI1S1\" style=\"max-height:66px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tier Tier_tier___6egS\">\n<div class=\"TierTitle_title__Q4E_6 TierTitle_c-tier__UohGG\">\n<div class=\"interface jsx-326752785 jsx-3004210145 TierTitle_text__xca95 bold break-word\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tier-items-row c-tier TierItems_tier-items-row__q2OSM TierItems_c-tier__ivXOD\" style=\"max-height:66px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tier Tier_tier___6egS\">\n<div class=\"TierTitle_title__Q4E_6 TierTitle_d-tier__5Z_iU\">\n<div class=\"interface jsx-326752785 jsx-3004210145 TierTitle_text__xca95 bold break-word\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tier-items-row d-tier TierItems_tier-items-row__q2OSM TierItems_d-tier__fycMA\" style=\"max-height:66px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"stack jsx-1061896584 content\"><\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">So, what is Jackson up to these days? As part of the same conversation at Cannes, the director said he was currently writing a script for his long-awaited second Tintin movie, 15 years on from the first adventure&#8217;s release. Fans expect this project to adapt the classic comic book serials The Seven Crystal Balls and Prisoners of the Sun \u2014 or at least that was Jackson&#8217;s intention when he was working on the project around a decade ago.<\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Photo by Darren Gerrish\/WireImage.<\/em><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Tom Phillips is IGN&#8217;s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/tomphillipseg.bsky.social\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@tomphillipseg.bsky.social<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/section>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-1475529924\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2155806329 adunit-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"jsx-2155806329 bobble bobble-1 pogocnt pg-article\">\n<div data-mix-name=\"secondaryMedrec\" data-pos=\"1\" data-pogo-hide=\"1\" class=\"jsx-343126785 pogo-slot\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<section class=\"article-page\">\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson has explained why he&#8217;s not in charge of the franchise&#8217;s next chapter \u2014 The Hunt for Gollum \u2014 and why he thinks Gollum actor Andy Serkis will do a &#8220;more exciting&#8221; job.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Speaking at the Cannes film festival (via <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Variety\/status\/2054506488375193737\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Variety<\/a>), Jackson answered questions around the upcoming Middle-earth movie \u2014 the first of several to revive the franchise for the big screen over the next couple of years. <\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">As its name suggests, The Hunt for Gollum will see numerous characters (Gandalf! Aragorn! Sauron!) tracking the fallen hobbit to find out what has become of the One Ring. It&#8217;s a prequel to Fellowship of the Ring (where we discover that Bilbo has had it all along), and a further chance for Andy Serkis to show off his motion capture mastery.<\/p>\n<p><button type=\"button\" class=\"jsx-2228525885\"><\/button><span data-cy=\"slideshow-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-preview\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 slideshow-preview\">\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-1085005187\" data-cy=\"slideshow-preview-title\">The Lord of the Rings Movies in (Chronological) Order<\/h3>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-container\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 images-container\"><button type=\"button\" data-cy=\"hero-image\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 hero-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;h3&gt;1. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)&lt;\/h3&gt;\nThe only potential confusion in the Lord of the Rings-Hobbit timeline comes from the fact that The Hobbit trilogy is set 60 years before The Lord of the Rings, despite being released a decade later.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nChronologically, the story kicks off with 2012\u2019s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which sees Martin Freeman take on the role of a younger Bilbo Baggins (played by Ian Holm in the LotR trilogy). Gandalf \u2013\u00a0one of several characters whose stories run through both trilogies \u2014\u00a0recruits Bilbo to join Thorin (Richard Armitage) and Company to help reclaim the Dwarven kingdom beneath Erebor, aka The Lonely Mountain, that had been sacked by the dragon Smaug. Along the way, Bilbo encounters Gollum for the first time and comes into possession of the One Ring.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><span class=\"button-text jsx-729543028 button button--primary jsx-3381835873 jsx-4266531355 row-pagination-button next contained centered round large\" data-cy=\"paginate next\" title=\"Open Slideshow\"><span class=\"ign-icon right-chevron jsx-2750866048 jsx-2919720488\" role=\"presentation\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-cy=\"right-chevron\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/span><\/button><\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"slideshow-images-list\" class=\"scrollbar jsx-2072772685 jsx-4243969252 images-list\"><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;h3&gt;2. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)&lt;\/h3&gt;\nThorin and Company continue their journey toward The Lonely Mountain, fending off giant spiders and orcs along the way. Orlando Bloom\u2019s Legolas (another LotR staple) joins the fray alongside newcomer Tauriel (played by Ant-Man\u2019s Evangeline Lilly). While the company reaches Esgaroth, a lake-town south of Erebor, Bilbo descends into the mountain, where he encounters Smaug (voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch). Smaug ultimately leaves his lair and departs for Esgaroth, setting up the conclusion of The Hobbit trilogy.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"rounded jsx-412047461 overlay progressive-image jsx-2338608387 expand\" data-cy=\"slideshow-image-overlay\">\n<div data-cy=\"element-caption\" class=\"caption jsx-1762799490\">View 7 Images<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;h3&gt;3. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)&lt;\/h3&gt;\nThe conflict with Smaug is resolved and the film\u2019s titular battle ensues involving the armies of men, dwarves, elves, and two tribes of orcs. We\u2019re being extra vague here as The Battle of the Five Armies is ripe with resolution (and therefore spoilers), but prepare for an action-heavy film that ultimately leaves off where The Lord of the Rings trilogy begins: back at the Shire, 60 years later, as Gandalf visits Bilbo on his 111th birthday.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;h3&gt;4. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)&lt;\/h3&gt;\nThe first Middle-earth film by release date (and the fourth chronologically) is 2001\u2019s The Fellowship of the Ring. The perspective shifts from Bilbo to his much-younger cousin Frodo Baggins (Elijah Wood). Following some exposition that sets up the current state of affairs in Middle-earth, we return to Bilbo\u2019s 111th birthday celebration in the Shire.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nBilbo departs on one last adventure, leaving the One Ring with Frodo; Gandalf warns Frodo he must leave the Shire, as Sauron (the Lord of the Rings) and his evil cronies\u00a0\u2014\u00a0specifically the Nazg\u00fbl, a host of nine horse-mounted wraiths\u00a0\u2014 will be coming for the ring. Frodo departs the Shire with his best friend, Samwise Gamgee (Sean Astin), along with fellow hobbits Merry and Pippen.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nAfter some perilous travel and character introductions, including Aragorn (Mortensen), Legolas (Bloom), and Saruman (Christopher Lee), a plan is devised to destroy the Ring in the fires of Mordor's Mount Doom, where the Rings of Power were forged. The plan is to be carried out by a ragtag group dubbed the Fellowship of the Ring: the wizard Gandalf; the hobbits Frodo, Samwise, Merry, and Pippen; the elf Legolas; the dwarf Gimli (John Rhys-Davies); and humans Aragorn and Boromir (Sean Bean).&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nA treacherous journey leads them to Lothl\u00f3rien, an Elven realm ruled by Cate Blanchett\u2019s Galadriel, who also appears throughout The Hobbit trilogy and is one of the main protagonists of the new Amazon series (this younger version of Galadriel is played by Morfydd Clark). Galadriel advises Frodo, and he decides to continue his journey to Mordor without the others, bringing only his most trusted confidant, Sam.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;h3&gt;5. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)&lt;\/h3&gt;\nFrodo and Sam take on a third, reluctant travel companion in Gollum (voiced by Andy Serkis), a hobbit long ago corrupted by the power of the One Ring. The trio makes it to the outskirts of Mordor, though are stalled by an unforeseen intervention. The other members of the Fellowship embark on a rescue mission; Gandalf takes a new form; and the trilogy\u2019s first epic battle occurs in the gorge of Helm\u2019s Deep.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><button data-cy=\"gallery-image\" type=\"button\" aria-label=\"Open Slideshow\" class=\"jsx-1711207865 gallery-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"&lt;h3&gt;6. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)&lt;\/h3&gt;\nAs with The Battle of the Five Armies, The Return of the King\u2019s plot is essentially all spoilers, so we\u2019ll again highlight only the broadest story beats. Gollum, exploiting the influence of the Ring, pits Frodo against Sam and leads the former into the lair of a deadly foe. The other members of the Fellowship, meanwhile, partake in the Battle of the Pelennor Fields \u2014 a massive, final fight against the dark forces of Sauron.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;\nFrodo and Sam ultimately enter Mordor in disguise and, with help from the other members of the Fellowship, see the original plan through. With the journey concluded, we enter the Fourth Age of Middle-earth and are treated to a bittersweet finale.\" class=\"progressive-image jsx-2021719738 image aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9 jsx-2605834259 jsx-2338608387 hover-opacity\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"image\/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP\/\/\/yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7\" data-cy=\"progressive-image\"><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;I could have directed it but I just thought, &#8216;I&#8217;ve done it,'&#8221; Jackson said, acknowledging the fact he had already helmed the full Lord of the Rings trilogy, and was only drafted in to direct The Hobbit after Guillermo del Toro dropped out. <\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;And it&#8217;s not because of me that I thought, &#8216;I&#8217;ve done it,'&#8221; Jackson continued. &#8220;I thought it would be more interesting&#8230; [if] Gollum himself, Andy Serkis, directed it. Because the film is pretty much an internal story about Gollum&#8217;s psychology and addiction.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;It&#8217;s a very personal story to Gollum, the character, and I thought that Andy knows this guy better than anybody. So I actually didn&#8217;t really think much of me at all. I thought the most exciting version of this movie is if Andy Serkis makes it because he&#8217;s going to put Gollum&#8217;s psychology on screen like you can&#8217;t imagine.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-2021719738 video jsx-2008855984 aspect-ratio aspect-ratio-16-9\">\n<div class=\"badge jsx-1349606671 jsx-3647116352\"><span class=\"ign-icon icon-play jsx-2750866048 jsx-1044454891\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-cy=\"icon-play\" aria-label=\"Play\" style=\"background:currentColor\"><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The Hunt for Gollum filming is now about to begin in New Zealand, with Ian McKellen back as Gandalf, Elijah Wood returning as Frodo, and Lee Pace reprising his character from The Hobbit, elven king Thranduil. Aragorn, however, has been recast \u2014 seemingly due to Viggo Mortensen declining to participate. Fifty Shades of Grey actor Jamie Dornan will now take on the Ranger&#8217;s role.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">Jackson concluded by stating he was now &#8220;leaving [Serkis] to it,&#8221; while being on-hand for assistance if it was required.<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">&#8220;I&#8217;m leaving him to it,&#8221; Jackson said. &#8220;I&#8217;m there to help if I can help, if I can be of assistance at certain times, I&#8217;m there. But I&#8217;m giving him as much freedom as I can, because giving Andy freedom to make that movie will result in the best possible film.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is due to land in theaters on December 17, 2027. It will be followed by The Lord of the Rings: Shadows of the Past, the film now being co-written by Stephen Colbert, which will adapt unseen elements from Tolkein&#8217;s Fellowship of the Ring novel, told via flashback.<\/p>\n<p><span data-cy=\"tierlist-view-trigger\"><\/p>\n<section class=\"box-wrapper jsx-2673806401\" id=\"rank-the-lord-of-the-rings-movies\" data-cy=\"rank-the-lord-of-the-rings-movies\">\n<div class=\"card jsx-1339469126 jsx-1355461925 box jsx-2627838217\">\n<div><dialog class=\"dialog tier-list-modal jsx-55470089\" aria-labelledby=\"contentLabel\"><\/dialog><\/div>\n<p><span class=\"stack jsx-3547261442 jsx-2986308351\"><span class=\"stack jsx-2959124702 jsx-4269505506 TierListHeader_header__xyy5a\"><span class=\"stack jsx-3647836811 jsx-4269505506 TierListHeader_title__UxzQx\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"ign-icon icon-tier-list jsx-2750866048 jsx-1879929830\" role=\"img\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-cy=\"icon-tier-list\" alt=\"Tier List\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/kraken.ignimgs.com\/_next\/static\/media\/TierList.c19f1c86.svg?cors=0\"><\/p>\n<h3 data-cy=\"title3\" class=\"title3 jsx-12333944 jsx-2321054750 TierListHeader_full__J6p2u\">Rank the Lord of the Rings movies<\/h3>\n<h3 class=\"title5 jsx-62124236 jsx-957202555 TierListHeader_compact__7JWp1 balanced\">Rank the Lord of the Rings movies<\/h3>\n<p><\/span><\/span><span class=\"stack jsx-3547261442\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-740175521 fade-in-out\"><span class=\"stack jsx-3547261442 jsx-2986308351\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"jsx-12151557 tier-list-skeleton\"><span class=\"stack jsx-659253495 tiers\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"tier Tier_tier___6egS\">\n<div class=\"TierTitle_title__Q4E_6 TierTitle_s-tier__uaHwM\">\n<div class=\"interface jsx-326752785 jsx-3004210145 TierTitle_text__xca95 bold break-word\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tier-items-row s-tier TierItems_tier-items-row__q2OSM TierItems_s-tier__Jrv1z\" style=\"max-height:66px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tier Tier_tier___6egS\">\n<div class=\"TierTitle_title__Q4E_6 TierTitle_a-tier__z0Xky\">\n<div class=\"interface jsx-326752785 jsx-3004210145 TierTitle_text__xca95 bold break-word\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tier-items-row a-tier TierItems_tier-items-row__q2OSM TierItems_a-tier__EGxbh\" style=\"max-height:66px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tier Tier_tier___6egS\">\n<div class=\"TierTitle_title__Q4E_6 TierTitle_b-tier__nsZIP\">\n<div class=\"interface jsx-326752785 jsx-3004210145 TierTitle_text__xca95 bold break-word\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tier-items-row b-tier TierItems_tier-items-row__q2OSM TierItems_b-tier__aI1S1\" style=\"max-height:66px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tier Tier_tier___6egS\">\n<div class=\"TierTitle_title__Q4E_6 TierTitle_c-tier__UohGG\">\n<div class=\"interface jsx-326752785 jsx-3004210145 TierTitle_text__xca95 bold break-word\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tier-items-row c-tier TierItems_tier-items-row__q2OSM TierItems_c-tier__ivXOD\" style=\"max-height:66px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tier Tier_tier___6egS\">\n<div class=\"TierTitle_title__Q4E_6 TierTitle_d-tier__5Z_iU\">\n<div class=\"interface jsx-326752785 jsx-3004210145 TierTitle_text__xca95 bold break-word\">\u00a0<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tier-items-row d-tier TierItems_tier-items-row__q2OSM TierItems_d-tier__fycMA\" style=\"max-height:66px\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/span><span class=\"stack jsx-1061896584 content\"><\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\">So, what is Jackson up to these days? As part of the same conversation at Cannes, the director said he was currently writing a script for his long-awaited second Tintin movie, 15 years on from the first adventure&#8217;s release. Fans expect this project to adapt the classic comic book serials The Seven Crystal Balls and Prisoners of the Sun \u2014 or at least that was Jackson&#8217;s intention when he was working on the project around a decade ago.<\/p>\n<div data-cy=\"accent-divider\" class=\"jsx-3449795453 divider jsx-2786329600\"><\/div>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Photo by Darren Gerrish\/WireImage.<\/em><\/p>\n<p data-cy=\"paragraph\" class=\"paragraph jsx-2269604527\"><em>Tom Phillips is IGN&#8217;s News Editor. You can reach Tom at tom_phillips@ign.com or find him on Bluesky <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/tomphillipseg.bsky.social\" class=\"link jsx-1337145738 jsx-3925284146 underlined\" data-cy=\"styled-link\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@tomphillipseg.bsky.social<\/a><\/p>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson has explained why he&#8217;s not in charge of the franchise&#8217;s next chapter \u2014 The Hunt for Gollum \u2014 and why he thinks Gollum actor Andy Serkis will do a &#8220;more exciting&#8221; job. Speaking at the Cannes film festival (via Variety), Jackson answered questions around the upcoming Middle-earth [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,243],"class_list":["post-1933222","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-ign-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1933222","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1933222"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1933222\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1933222"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1933222"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1933222"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}