Earlier this year, Middle-earth fans were thrilled when Warner Bros. announced the return of Lord of the Rings films, with Peter Jackson and his team on board, and beloved characters making a comeback. One of the upcoming projects is The Hunt for Gollum, a prequel to The Fellowship of the Ring, with Andy Serkis directing. Serkis, known for his portrayal of Gollum, now steps behind the camera to bring this untold story to life. Naturally, the news ignited the fandom, especially with the rumor that the project would be split into two films, allegedly suggested by Sir Ian McKellen.
However, Lord of the Rings screenwriter Philippa Boyens recently spoke with Empire to clear things up. “I can tell you definitively it isn’t two films!” Boyens confirmed. “There was a genuine misunderstanding because we’ve conceptually begun work on two different live-action films. The first is The Hunt For Gollum, while the second is still under wraps.” In short, The Hunt for Gollum will be a standalone film, but another separate project is also in development.
Despite being a single film, Boyens assures that The Hunt for Gollum will be packed with suspense. “It’s quite an intense story, set after Bilbo’s birthday party and before the Mines of Moria,” she teased. “It’s a specific piece of untold story, seen through the eyes of this fascinating creature.” So, while The Hunt for Gollum won’t be split into two parts, it remains an essential entry in the LOTR saga—deepening our understanding of Gollum, his struggles, and the threads that tie into the original trilogy.
As for why McKellen might have mistakenly thought The Hunt For Gollum would be a two-parter, Boyens speculated that it could be related to other projects in the works—including the potential return of Gandalf himself. “We’re exploring a number of ideas, most of which involve Gandalf,” she noted. “So, Gandalf could potentially be back for two live-action films.” That doesn’t mean two Gollum-focused stories, but rather Gandalf’s involvement in the wider slate of new projects being considered.
Additionally, Boyens hinted at more animated projects set in Middle-earth. The anime feature The War of the Rohirrim, which Boyens is writing and producing, is set for release this December, and its success could lead to more animated stories. “We have an absolute banger of a second film that could be amazing as an anime,” she teased. “But we’ll see if there’s an appetite for it.” Clearly, Middle-earth has no shortage of stories—and Boyens, Serkis, and the team appear eager to explore every untold corner.
For those eager to journey back into the realms of elves, dwarves, and scheming creatures, it’s safe to say that plenty more adventure awaits.
