Actor and director Andy Serkis, known for his iconic motion capture performance as Gollum in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy, has recently drawn criticism for comments made about casting and artificial intelligence. His remarks, particularly concerning his upcoming film, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, have reignited debates about representation in media.
During an interview with the BBC, Serkis addressed the controversy surrounding the predominantly white cast of his new project. He acknowledged past criticisms of the original Peter Jackson-directed films regarding their casting but seemed to dismiss concerns about adhering to modern diversity standards. "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," Serkis stated, adding that casting decisions are made "where relevant basically." He further suggested that the Shire, the fictional homeland of Hobbits, is "very, very white" and its inhabitants are largely insular, unconcerned with matters beyond their borders.
These comments have drawn particular ire given the online harassment faced by actors of color in Amazon's The Rings of Power series. Some observers noted the irony of Serkis using language similar to that employed by critics of The Rings of Power's diverse casting. The sentiment was echoed by some who felt Serkis had shifted from his earlier public persona, with one observer questioning, "When did you turn into a dick?"
Serkis's views on "cancel culture" and AI have also come under scrutiny. In a 2023 interview with The Independent, he expressed concerns about the ease with which individuals can be "cancelled" and criticized "trial by media." His past stance on Scarlett Johansson's potentially playing a transgender man, where he suggested actors should be able to play any role regardless of their identity, was resurfaced. Serkis reiterated a belief that "you should have the ability to play anything."
Regarding artificial intelligence, Serkis told Variety that he views AI as a "creative tool," provided it is not used exploitatively or to spread misinformation. He confirmed that AI is being used to assist in de-aging actors for The Hunt for Gollum and sees value in AI for tasks like generating reference material. However, he drew a line at AI use for non-consensual pornography or intellectual property theft, and he does not believe AI can yet replace human performance.
Serkis's recent directorial efforts have also faced criticism. His animated adaptation of George Orwell's Animal Farm was met with largely negative reviews, with critics citing significant changes to the source material, including the addition of humor, a happy ending, and a downplaying of the novel's darker themes. The film reportedly performed poorly at the box office. The article notes that the film's intended message, "dedicated to those who are oppressed and that your time will come," was relegated to the end credits, a choice that some interpreted as a sign of flawed execution.