Warner Bros.’ upcoming The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum has been generating steady buzz ever since it was announced, and now Andy Serkis has issued another exciting update. Set within Peter Jackson’s beloved Middle-earth universe, the film will focus on the search for Gollum and the One Ring, with Serkis both reprising his role and directing.

Earlier this year, Serkis stated that the upcoming Lord of the Rings movie was aiming to start filming in 2026, with production taking place in New Zealand, allowing it to be on schedule for the announced release date of December 17, 2027. Furthermore, the latest update had Sir Ian McKellen recently announcing that Frodo and Gandalf will be returning.

Now, in an interview with Metro, Andy Serkis has provided another exciting filming update on The Hunt for Gollum, confirming that filming preparations will begin shortly. Speaking at the premiere of The Girlfriend (which he executive produced), Serkis stated: “I leave for New Zealand on Saturday. We’re going down to start prep.” Check out Serkis’ full statement below:

I’m very excited to go back. I leave for New Zealand on Saturday. We’re going down to start prep and working on it, because I’m directing. I\m thrilled to return to the family that I’ve loved working with for many years, and a character that I cannot escape from!

What Andy Serkis’ Update Means For The Hunt For Gollum

Serkis’ confirmation that he is flying to New Zealand to begin prep signals that The Hunt for Gollum is officially shifting from development to pre-production — a major step forward for the film. By starting early groundwork for the upcoming blockbuster now, the creative team behind the project will have ample time to perfect the look, effects, and casting.

Furthermore, with production activity kicking off this soon, it is possible that principal pH๏τography could’ve actually begun in late 2025, which would have worked for the original 2026 release schedule. However, The Hunt for Gollum‘s new release date delay suggests that Serkis needs more time to prepare, meaning that a significantly large-scale blockbuster is likely underway.

Our Take On Andy Serkis’ LOTR Filming Update

Serkis’ announcement is exactly the kind of update fans have been waiting for. With the director heading to New Zealand this very weekend, it would appear that The Hunt for Gollum is finally becoming a reality. The upcoming film clearly won’t be a small-scale spin-off or side project either, as the filming location honors its cinematic roots.

In the context of its planned 2027 release, Serkis’ update is also a very timely response, demonstrating a real enthusiasm that I’m pretty sure every Lord of the Rings fan can get behind. With this news, The Hunt for Gollum is on track, ready to begin production in early 2026, which is especially good news after its delay.