The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum will employ de-aging technology to depict some of its characters at a younger age, director Andy Serkis has revealed. Serkis, who is also reprising his role as Gollum, stated that machine learning is part of the process for this de-aging.
While Serkis did not specify which actors or characters would undergo the digital facelift, the film's timeline suggests potential candidates. The Hunt for Gollum is set to explore the period between Bilbo Baggins's 111th birthday and Gandalf the Grey's return to the Shire. This temporal setting makes Ian McKellen, who is confirmed to return as Gandalf, and Elijah Wood, reprising his role as Frodo Baggins, likely subjects for de-aging.
The film's narrative is expected to follow Aragorn, played by Jamie Dornan in this installment, as he embarks on a mission to find and capture Gollum. The supporting cast includes Anya Taylor-Joy, Kate Winslet, Leo Woodall, and Lee Pace, who reprises his role as Thranduil.
Serkis emphasized that the use of machine learning is limited to de-aging and does not extend to other areas of AI generation, a topic that has sparked considerable debate within creative industries. He also expressed a commitment to blending modern techniques with traditional filmmaking, aiming to incorporate practical effects like miniatures and prosthetics alongside digital enhancements, echoing the acclaimed approach of the original Lord of the Rings trilogy.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is scheduled to be released in theaters on December 17, 2027.