Andy Serkis Defends 'Hunt for Gollum' Casting Amid Diversity Criticism

Andy Serkis has directly addressed criticism over the lack of diversity in the cast for his upcoming film The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. In an interview with the BBC this week, the director and star stated the film would acknowledge such concerns but not engage in what he called "politically correct" casting.

Serkis is directing the new Middle-earth adventure, which is set for release in December 2027. He will also reprise his iconic role as Gollum.

What Did Andy Serkis Say About the Casting?

Speaking to the BBC, Serkis was asked about the film's cast, which so far consists entirely of white actors. He pointed to the source material's influences. "Tolkien himself was influenced a lot by Norse mythology, there’s a lot of that feeling," Serkis said. "The Shire feels very, very much like a very, a very white, you know… They’re not very concerned about what goes on beyond the borders of The Shire, but they know they don’t want people coming in."

He then addressed the criticism directly. "Yes, there have been criticisms," Serkis said. "This particular film is somewhat acknowledging that. But we don’t think we will be doing a politically correct just-casting-for-the sake-of-casting-and-ticking-boxes version of the film. So, it’s only where relevant basically."

Who Is in the 'Hunt for Gollum' Cast?

According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film boasts a star-studded lineup. It will see the return of Ian McKellen as Gandalf and Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins from Peter Jackson's original trilogy. New actors announced for the film include Anya Taylor-Joy, Kate Winslet, Jamie Dornan, and Leo Woodall. Lee Pace will also return as Thranduil.

When Does the Film Come Out and What Is It About?

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release on December 17, 2027, from Warner Bros. Pictures. Serkis described the story as a "deep dive into the psychology and history of Gollum before he became Gollum." He explained that it "sits absolutely between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogies" and follows Gandalf and a character named Strider on a quest to find Gollum and learn about the One Ring.

In the same BBC interview, Serkis also clarified that he is not directing another planned Lord of the Rings film, Shadow of the Past, which is being written by Stephen Colbert. "I think that that post has been taken, put it that way," he said.