Filming has started in New Zealand for "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum," the first live-action film in the franchise in over a decade, according to infohub.kz.
Andy Serkis, who will once again portray Gollum using motion-capture technology, announced that the crew has completed its first week of shooting. For the first time in the franchise's history, Serkis is directing a full-length feature; he previously served as second-unit director on "The Hobbit" trilogy.
The project involves the creators of the original film trilogy — Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens. Filming is taking place in New Zealand, where the iconic early-2000s movies were shot. According to Serkis, the set includes crew members who worked on "The Lord of the Rings" nearly 25 years ago, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a large family reunion.
"The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum" is scheduled for release in late 2027. It will be the first live-action film set in Middle-earth since the conclusion of "The Hobbit" trilogy.
Previously, it was reported that Elijah Wood has not ruled out the return of Frodo in the new film, and 86-year-old Ian McKellen will reprise his role as Gandalf.