Andy Serkis is addressing criticism surrounding the lack of diversity in “The Hunt for Gollum.” The actor and director recently responded to concerns about 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” films, is stepping into the director’s role for the spinoff movie, “The Hunt for Gollum,” and is also reprising his iconic role.
The film’s cast has been slowly taking shape, with new additions announced over the past few months. Both Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen will 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 films, and Serkis addressed the buzz while talking to the BBC.
“This particular film is somewhat acknowledging that,” the actor said. However, he added, “I don’t think we will be doing a politically correct just-casting-for-the-sake-of-casting-and-ticking-boxes version of the film. So, it’s where relevant basically,” he noted.
The Director Said The Shire Is ‘Very White’
Questions about diversity have followed “The Lord of the Rings” franchise for years, but many have pointed out that author J.R.R. Tolkien’s works were deeply rooted in Northern European mythology, and casting was done to reflect that.
One person commented, “Not everything needs to have forced diversity shoved into it. Especially when it makes no sense for it to be there.”
As Serkis noted, Tolkien was “influenced a lot by Norse mythology,” adding that The Shire, the region in Middle-earth inhabited by Hobbits, “feels very, very much like a very, a very white, you know… 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 in the film industry, but argues against casting choices made purely to fulfill representation goals.
In 2018, the actor shared how he developed a deeper understanding of what it felt like to be in the minority at a film set. He and “The Hobbit” actor Martin Freeman were the only major white characters in 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 find yourself in,” Serkis said. Freeman noted, “You think, ‘Right, this is what black actors feel like all the time.’”
‘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 choices.
“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 no dragons. There are no hobbits. Are you telling me Black people can’t be fake people too?” she said.
Amazon also released a statement, noting that Tolkien created a multicultural world “in 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 find 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 New Zealand, and Warner Bros. shared a behind-the-scenes 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.
