The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is set to utilize artificial intelligence and machine learning for digital de-aging of certain characters, director Andy Serkis has revealed. This prequel film will feature Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen reprising their iconic roles as Frodo Baggins and Gandalf, respectively, more than 25 years after the release of The Fellowship of the Ring.
Serkis addressed the use of AI in filmmaking, stating that the technology can be valuable when used responsibly and ethically. He compared its application in generating reference material to traditional methods of using reference images, noting that AI can now provide instant results. Serkis emphasized that the concern arises when AI is used exploitatively, without proper remuneration for creators, or for malicious or inappropriate purposes. He likened the relationship between humans and AI to that of parents and children, stressing the need to guide its development positively.
When asked about AI's specific role in The Hunt for Gollum, Serkis confirmed its use for de-aging some characters but declined to specify which actors would undergo the process. He described machine learning as part of the de-aging technique. Serkis drew a parallel to Peter Jackson's use of the MASSIVE program in the original trilogy, which enabled the creation of unique digital armies of orcs. He clarified that the new film does not employ AI for generating entire shots but rather uses traditional filmmaking skills, such as miniatures and prosthetics, in conjunction with newer techniques.
Filming for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum has commenced in New Zealand. The cast includes Lee Pace returning as Thranduil and Anya Taylor-Joy as a new elven character named Seren. Notably, the role of Aragorn has been recast, with Jamie Dornan taking over from Viggo Mortensen, who reportedly declined to return.
Peter Jackson, who directed the original trilogy, has stated he is available to assist Serkis if needed but is otherwise granting him creative freedom. The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is slated for a theatrical release on December 17, 2027. It will be followed by The Lord of the Rings: Shadows of the Past, a film co-written by Stephen Colbert that will explore previously untold elements from Tolkien's Fellowship of the Ring novel through flashbacks.