Andy Serkis is addressing criticism surrounding the shortage of diversity in “The Hunt for Gollum.” The actor and director recently responded to concerns concerning the upcoming “Lord of the Rings” spinoff film, explaining the approach behind its casting and emphasizing its connection to J.R.R. Tolkien’s original world. His comments come as anticipation for the project continues to grow.
Andy Serkis, who famously portrayed Gollum in “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” movies, is getting into the director’s role for the spinoff movie, “The Hunt for Gollum,” and can be reprising his iconic role.
The film’s forged has been slowly taking shape, with recent additions announced over the past few months. Each Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen will likely be returning to play Frodo Baggins and Gandalf, respectively, and other names have been announced as well, including Kate Winslet, Anya Taylor-Joy, Jamie Dornan, Leo Woodall, and Lee Pace.
The project’s casting has reignited debate about representation in movies, and Serkis addressed the thrill while talking to the BBC.
“This particular film is somewhat acknowledging that,” the actor said. Nonetheless, he added, “I don’t think we will likely be doing a politically correct just-casting-for-the-sake-of-casting-and-ticking-boxes version of the film. So, it’s where relevant principally,” he noted.
The Director Said The Shire Is ‘Very White’
Questions on diversity have followed “The Lord of the Rings” franchise for years, but many have identified that writer J.R.R. Tolkien’s works were deeply rooted in Northern European mythology, and casting was done to reflect that.
One person commented, “Not every little thing must have forced diversity shoved into it. Especially when it is not sensible for it to be there.”
As Serkis noted, Tolkien was “influenced quite a bit by Norse mythology,” adding that The Shire, the region in Middle-earth inhabited by Hobbits, “feels very, very very like a really, a really white, you understand… 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.”
Andy Serkis Supports Diverse Representation
Serkis has expressed his support for equality within the film industry, but argues against casting decisions made purely to satisfy representation goals.
In 2018, the actor shared how he developed a deeper understanding of what it felt wish to be within the minority at a movie set. He and “The Hobbit” actor Martin Freeman were the one major white characters within the Marvel movie “The Black Panther,” and were called the “Tolkien white guys.”
In an interview with Radio Times, Serkis said he and Freeman were grateful for having the experience, sharing that director Ryan Coogler, at one point, told them that it was his first time directing a scene with two white actors. “That’s an incredible perspective to search out yourself in,” Serkis said. Freeman noted, “You’re thinking that, ‘Right, that is what black actors feel like on a regular basis.’”
‘The Rings Of Power’ Controversy
While “The Hunt for Gollum” has sparked discussion over its perceived lack of diversity, “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” previously faced criticism from one side for its more diverse casting decisions.
“The Rings of Power” is a fantasy TV series from Amazon based on the history of Middle-earth, and while many fans celebrated the casting decisions, some viewers argued that it went against Tolkien’s lore. Some accused the showrunners of being too “woke” and prioritizing representation over authenticity.
The backlash even became a talking point on “The View,” with Whoopi Goldberg saying it’s a fantasy world. “There are not any dragons. There are not any hobbits. Are you telling me Black people can’t be fake people too?” she said.
Amazon also released an announcement, noting that Tolkien created a multicultural world “during which free people from different races and cultures join together, in fellowship, to defeat the forces of evil.”
‘The Hunt For Gollum’ Has Begun Production
“The Hunt for Gollum” focuses on Aragorn’s quest to search out Gollum, an untold story set between Bilbo Baggins’ 111th birthday celebration and the journey through the Mines of Moria in 2001’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.”
Production is underway in Latest Zealand, and Warner Bros. shared a behind-the-scenes take a look at Serkis wearing a motion-capture suit, reprising his role as Gollum.
“The Hunt for Gollum” is scheduled to be released in theaters in December 2027.