Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum - Peter Jackson returns to Middle-earth with Smeagol-centric spinoff

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We've known for a little while now that Warner Bros. is bringing Middle Earth back to cinemas, but on May 9, we learned that they'll be joined with some familiar travel companions. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Peter Jackson will be involved in several new LotR film projects, the first of which is about fan-favorite Gollum.

But those two won't be the only well-known names in the lot. Jackson's writing partners, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, will also be involved. And as you've probably already guesses, when you're making a Gollum movie, you've got to bring back the man in the mocap morphsuit.

"It is an honor and a privilege," said Jackson, Walsh, and Boyens, "to travel back to Middle-earth with our good friend and collaborator, Andy Serkis, who has unfinished business with that stinker — Gollum!"

Related: Is there a place for Chris Evans in The Lord of the Rings? Here's what Sean Astin thinks

That's right - not only will Serkis be back to reprise the role, but he'll also be directing the movie. It's a comforting message to LotR fans, there are few people in Hollywood that understand Gollum (and J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium) better than Serkis.

Also confirmed by the report was another LotR movie in the works from Jackson, Walsh, and Boyens, but no details on that film have been announced. Could it be another character-centric adventure? Or a deeper dive into Tolkien's mythos à la The Rings of Power? Only time will tell.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum (working title) is said to be aiming for a cinematic release some time in 2026.

Hey, wasn't Popverse editor Graeme McMillan just talking about the Lord of the Rings's Second Golden Age?