The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum needs to bring back an essential part of what made the original trilogy so special. Peter Jackson’s adaptations of The Lord of the Rings books are some of the most celebrated films of all time. They brought Middle-earth to life in spectacular form, featuring amazing sets and characters that made the world feel real.

When Jackson announced he was returning to J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantastical world for The Hobbit films, many were excited. However, An Unexpected Journey made it abundantly clear that something was different. The films relied heavily on CGI, creating many of the orcs and other creatures through digital effects, rather than the practical effects of the original trilogy.

The Hobbit trilogy didn’t achieve the same results as the original films. While the CGI wasn’t the only factor, it was part of the reason why these films didn’t amaze audiences like their predecessors. Digital effects will be part of The Hunt for Gollum, but director Andy Serkis needs to find a way to utilize more practical effects and recapture the magic of Jackson’s first trilogy.

The Hunt For Gollum Needs To Rely On Practical Effects When Possible

And Be Less CGI-Heavy As The Hobbit Trilogy

The Lord of the Rings trilogy is the prime example of what’s possible in film, and its amazing practical effects helped make the series so impressive. Jackson’s first three films were nominated for 30 Academy Awards, winning 17, and several of these nominations and wins were for makeup, visual effects, costume design, and art design.

The practical effects immersed audiences in Middle-Earth, and The Hunt for Gollum needs to prioritize this style over digital effects. This could be a challenge since Gollum himself is a digital effect. However, the original films demonstrated that Gollum can blend in among real sets. In fact, this could look even better thanks to how far effects have advanced since the early 2000s.

Hunt for Gollum would not only look better with more practical effects, but it could also improve the filming experience. While unconfirmed, Ian McKellen may be returning as Gandalf after previously playing the character in The Hobbit films. The actor told Time Out in 2018 he was “miserable” filming in front of green screens, so more practical effects could be a requirement for his return.

The 2027 film could learn something from Amazon’s The Rings of Power, which uses an impressive mix of digital and practical effects. The studio spared no expense with this series, and it looks amazing. While there is CGI, the mᴀssive sets, costuming, and makeup for characters, like the orcs, recreate the best parts of the original films, rather than their prequel trilogy.

While Jackson isn’t directing The Hunt for Gollum, he is a producer and could help restore the outstanding visuals from his first trilogy. Hopefully, the 2027 film will restore Middle-Earth to its former glory, bringing audiences back to a beautiful fantasy realm.