Peter Jackson Discusses Inspiration for ‘The Hunt for Gollum’

Peter Jackson has revealed intriguing insights into his upcoming projects, including the long-awaited sequel to ‘The Adventures of Tintin’ and his involvement in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum’.

Jackson shared that he is actively writing the screenplay for the Tintin sequel alongside Fran Walsh. He described the project as dynamic, with regular exchanges of pages during its development phase.

In discussing ‘The Hunt for Gollum’, Jackson mentioned that the creative team drew inspiration from an unexpected source while shaping the film’s direction.

He stated: “We were thinking about the original ‘Joker’ film, the one with Joaquin Phoenix.”

Jackson clarified that the intention was not to replicate the tone or style but to explore how a familiar character could be depicted in a more personal and introspective manner. The aim is to adapt J.R.R. Tolkien’s written material into a narrative that emphasizes character perspective rather than merely focusing on grand external events.

He added that the story will utilize material from Tolkien’s appendices, which contain background information and side stories about Gollum. These notes detail aspects of Gollum’s journey, including his experiences prior to ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and his connection to the Ring.

Jackson also emphasized that he will not be directing ‘The Hunt for Gollum’. He believes the film will benefit from Andy Serkis at the helm, given Serkis’s deep connection to the character through his previous performances.

Nonetheless, Jackson remains engaged as a producer and supporter of the project. His role focuses on guidance and support rather than direct oversight, allowing Serkis the creative freedom to shape the film.

In addition to this, Jackson is actively working on the Tintin sequel, describing the writing process as ongoing and collaborative, with drafts being regularly exchanged and revised.

His return to these major feature films signifies a shift back after years spent concentrating on documentaries and smaller projects. According to his comments at Cannes reported by IndieWire, both projects are progressing, albeit in distinct creative directions.

For ‘The Hunt for Gollum’, Jackson highlighted a fundamental idea: rather than treating it as a conventional fantasy adventure, the creative team is approaching it as a character-driven story, influenced by psychological storytelling techniques prevalent in contemporary cinema.

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