Peter Jackson Updates on ‘The Hunt for Gollum’ and ‘The Shadow of the Past’

Peter Jackson has dedicated two decades to bringing Middle-earth to life on screen, and now he is watching as others take the reins. Although the New Zealand filmmaker has stepped away from directing the franchise’s upcoming installments, he remains actively involved as a producer, making his updates significant for Tolkien enthusiasts.

Currently, two new films in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ universe are in development. ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum’ is helmed by Andy Serkis, who also portrays the titular character, with Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens crafting the screenplay while Jackson produces. The second project, ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Shadow of the Past’, is co-written by Stephen Colbert, a devoted Tolkien fan, alongside Boyens and Peter McGee.

This week, Jackson provided exciting updates on both films. In an interview with the Spanish-language outlet Fotogramas during his visit to the Sitges Film Festival, where he received an honor, he mentioned that ‘The Shadow of the Past’ is currently in the scriptwriting phase. He also noted that ‘The Hunt for Gollum’ is nearing the end of filming, with only about two weeks of shooting remaining. Additionally, he revealed that the script for ‘Tintin 2’ is complete and that it will be his next directorial project.

Filming began in the summer after Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema confirmed that principal photography had started, accompanied by a brief clip of Serkis arriving on the motion-capture stage. This marks Serkis’s directorial debut for a Tolkien film, where he portrays both Gollum and his younger self, Sméagol. The movie is set to hit theaters on December 17, 2027.

Jackson has explained his reasons for stepping back from directing, stating that the story delves into Gollum’s psychology and addiction, and that Serkis understands the character better than anyone else. He likened the narrative approach to the first ‘Joker’ film, which explored the lead’s psychology while telling a compelling story, drawing from Tolkien’s appendices and focusing on Gollum’s internal perspective.

The second film, however, is in a more uncertain position. It aims to adapt six chapters from ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’ that were not included in Jackson’s original trilogy. Colbert, Boyens, and McGee are collaborating on the screenplay.

There have been reports suggesting that the project could be delayed following Paramount Skydance’s $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. The new leadership reportedly wants to evaluate the performance of ‘The Hunt for Gollum’ before proceeding with ‘The Shadow of the Past’. Jackson’s recent comments indicate that the film is not canceled, as he confirmed it is still in the scriptwriting phase.

The most unexpected news is Jackson’s own directorial plans. He and Walsh have penned a script for a sequel to 2011’s ‘The Adventures of Tintin’, which was directed by Steven Spielberg and produced by Jackson. The original film grossed $373 million worldwide, and the initial plan was for the two filmmakers to switch roles for the sequel.

Jackson first mentioned working on the script in May at the Cannes Film Festival, where he received an honorary Palme d’Or and shared that he had been writing in his hotel room. By July, he informed Gold Derby that the script was finished and that a Tintin film would likely be his next directorial venture. However, he has not disclosed which of Hergé’s stories the film will adapt, and a production timeline remains unconfirmed.

If the project moves forward, it would mark Jackson’s first narrative feature as a director since ‘The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies’ in 2014, resulting in over a decade without a new fiction film from the creator of ‘The Lord of the Rings’. Fans have also been waiting 15 years for the sequel, which has been in development limbo for much of that time.

Jackson has remarked that Tintin stories remain timeless, which may explain why the project could remain relevant even after being shelved. Serkis, who portrayed Captain Haddock in the first film, has stated that Jackson is eager to bring the sequel to life. This reunion would revive one of the franchise’s most cherished creative partnerships.

The updates provide a clear view of the situation. ‘The Hunt for Gollum’ is the immediate focus for the franchise, and its success may influence the pace at which ‘The Shadow of the Past’ progresses. Jackson’s decision to concentrate on Tintin reflects his personal aspirations as a director.

For fans, the next significant moment will come when the Gollum film wraps up shooting and marketing kicks off. With a holiday 2027 release date, the studio has ample time to generate excitement. Until then, Jackson’s behind-the-scenes insights serve as the best indication of what lies ahead.

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