The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, announced by Warner Bros. Discovery in May 2024,starring and directed by Andy Serkis, the man responsible for portraying Gollum in Peter Jackson’sLOTR, is in the early stages of development. With the positive reception ofThe Ring of Power’s second season, and the possible success ofthe animated featureThe Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The Rohirrim,The Hunt For Gollumis at risk of becoming lifeless and redundant.
The Hunt For Gollumwill likely focus on events just before Frodo embarks on his adventure with the One Ring, featured inThe Lord Of The Ringstrilogy. At Gandalf’s request, Aragorn will be sent to seek out Gollum before the creature can reveal the location of the One Ring to the Dark Lord Sauron. If this plot sounds familiar, it’s becauseit was already made into a fan fiction animation short in 2009 titledThe Hunt For Gollum. However, beyond revisiting unofficial stories, the movie has other obstacles that may make it feel irrelevant in the franchise’s current climate.
The Hunt For Gollum Is Taking A Risk By Rehashing The Lord Of The Rings
A New Gollum Story: A Risky Gamble
Based on Tolkien’s Appendix inThe Lord Of The Rings, the plot for TheLord Of The Rings: The Hunt For Gollummost likely follows Gandalf and Aragorn’s search for Gollum through the vales of Anduin, Mirkwood, Rhovanion, and Mordor, all settings extensively covered in the originalLOTRfilms.With its probable retelling of the originalThe Hunt For Gollum, and its revisiting characters, cast members, settings, and plots,The Lord Of The Rings: The Hunt For Gollumruns the riskof becoming an unnecessary addition to Middle-earth that has already been told.
Who could play Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum?
Imagining anyone but the great Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf is saddening, and I’m holding out hope that he’ll be interested in returning alongside Andy Serkis. Though, if it had to be someone new, I’d be interested in seeing Pierce Brosnan take on the role. He’s always been an actor I’ve found endlessly compelling, yet has never really acted in movies that fit my tastes.
By rehashing several elements fromThe Lord Of The Rings,The Lord Of The Rings: The Hunt For Gollumis creating a work of nostalgia targeted more toward its original viewership than a growing audience interested in an expanding Middle-earth.This strategy may pay off financially, but artistically, it lacks the creativity and interest that Tolkien fans are becoming accustomed to – especially given where other franchise installments are heading.
The Rings Of Power Season 2’s Improvement Could Hurt The Hunt For Gollum
Better Rings of Power could hurt Gollum film
Momentum andpraise forThe Rings Of Powerhave increasedfrom season 1 to season 2, with its more focused writing, expansion on the Sack of Eregion, and more complex character developments. The successful utilization of these elements inThe Rings Of Powershows potential failings that could come to fruition inThe Lord Of The Rings: The Hunt For Gollum.
The Rings Of Powerhas spent a lot of time in season 2 building on the groundwork set in season 1.Númenor’s politics and setting are being expanded, the Sack of Eregion is fleshed out for the first time, Adar turns out to be more than a power-hungry warmonger, Gandalf’s story comes into focus, Sauron shows a more relatable side, and Celebrimbor is becoming a complex fan favorite.
The Rings Of Powerhas shown that its success and intrigue come from new and underdeveloped inspiration by Tolkien.
By successfully widening Middle-earth with previously unrealized settings and battles, and by creating and further developing its characters,The Rings Of Powerhas shown that its success and intrigue come from new and underdeveloped inspiration by Tolkien.The focus and expansion on these new elements and their increasing popularity with fans could be a sign of what is to come in theLOTRfranchise and what could fail.
Rings Of Power & War Of The Rohirrim Could Increase The Demand For New LOTR Stories
New LOTR stories could boost demand
With the success of new and untold story arcs inThe Rings Of Powerand the potential success ofThe War Of The Rohirrim, demand for untold stories and characters in theLOTRfranchise could rapidly increase.Backtracking and content constructed through fandom nods will become more apparent and drop out of favor.
Material built by new creators featuring new characters is where the momentum ofLOTRlies.
The War Of The Rohirrimis a great example.Not only is a new medium being introduced into the franchise, but the film also explores a war 183 years before Peter Jackson’sThe Fellowship Of The Ring, focusing on Helm Hammerhand’s unnamed daughter (designated Hèra for the film). Even the film’s writers, Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou, are referred to as the “next generation” of writers for the franchise (Philippa Boyens, viaCulture Slate).
IfThe War Of The Rohirrimbecomes a hit (and it has all the ingredients to do just that), it will only add to the momentum that paints a bleak picture forThe Lord Of The Rings: The Hunt For Gollum. Demand for new and expansiveLOTRcontent is on the rise. WithThe Lord Of The Rings: The Hunt For Gollumrevisiting old sites and characters, it is at risk of feeling unnecessary.
