Andy Serkis Transforms Back Into Gollum in New 'The Hunt for Gollum' Set Footage

New footage from the set of The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum shows director and star Andy Serkis transforming back into the iconic creature. According to Deadline, Warner Bros. released the video, which follows Serkis as he prepares for his role.

The video begins with Serkis walking onto the set in a motion-capture suit. It appears to capture the first day of shooting, with Serkis asking, “What are we going to start with?” He is told, “At the beginning,” and then asks, “Who’s up?” The reply comes: “You are.” Serkis then moves to the center of the room, crouches on a box, and says in Gollum's signature rattling voice, “And…Action!”

What does the footage show?

The released clip offers a glimpse into the film's production process. It highlights Serkis's dual role as both the performer and the director of the project. This return to the character comes years after his groundbreaking performance in Peter Jackson's original trilogy.

Serkis has spoken about the evolution of the technology used to bring Gollum to life. In a 2024 interview with Deadline, he noted, "At that time, the motion capture technology back then was pretty much restricted to interior sets and it was just motion capture. Throughout the course of the evolution of the technology through the [Planet of the] Apes movies, it changed."

What is 'The Hunt for Gollum' about?

The film's story, developed from J.R.R. Tolkien's appendices, is set between the events of The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring. It follows Aragorn's dangerous mission to capture Gollum before the creature can reveal the location of the One Ring to Sauron. The movie is scheduled for a theatrical release in 2027.