The upcomingThe Lord of the RingsmovieThe Hunt for Gollumasked Sir Ian McKellen to join its cast, reprising his role as Gandalf, and while I’m hugely excited – as only a lifelong fan could be – I’m also questioning the movie’s integrity. This is probably a predictable reaction from one of the “old guard” of the Tolkien fandom, as despite being on board, I also want the quality of this excellent franchise to remain high. WithTheLord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrimmoviecoming out in December, the timing is even more crucial, with the stakes arguably higher than ever.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollummoviehas only confirmed Andy Serkis as Gollum so far, in terms of cast, with Serkis also directing. Serkis approached McKellen about playing Gandalf, but McKellen notably hasn’t yet confirmed, despite previously saying he would like to play Gandalf again “if [he’s] still alive” (viaThe Times). McKellen’s good-humored approach to Gandalf belies what may be an exploitative usage of the character, on Warner Bros. part, and I’m wondering howLord of the Ringswill benefit fromHunt for Gollumoverall.
Sir Ian McKellen’s Hunt For Gollum Update Confirms My Biggest Fear About The Movie
The Hunt For Gollum May Prioritize Nostalgia
McKellen’s planned return as Gandalfmakes me concerned that the movie will be more style than substance, leaning into nostalgia to profit at the box office. I am just as nostalgic as anyone about Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn, and Elijah Wood as Frodo, butI hopeThe Hunt for Gollumwon’t end up being an exercise in nostalgia. Gandalf’s return suggests thatThe Hunt for Gollumwill retread ground fromThe Fellowship of the Ring, rather than tackle the abundance of stories in the appendices. Overall, my concern is that this lucrative and nostalgic approach to filmmaking could compromise quality.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollumis speculated to be released in 2026.
It’s not for me to jump to conclusions and second guess the work that Philippa Boyens, Fran Walsh, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou have done and will do to guaranteeThe Hunt for Gollum’sintelligence, messaging, and thematic consistency. However, as a devoted fan,I can’t help hoping that Tolkien’s legacy will continue to be respectedabove and beyond commercial concerns. I would love for all future movies in the franchise to commit fully to embodying the themes and values of Tolkien’s work, rather than flinging out action thriller scenes and comedy one-liners that crowds will lap up because of nostalgia.
Warner Bros. Lord Of The Rings Approach Makes Me Worried About The Franchise’s Future
I Hope The Franchise Quality Remains High
Bringing the likes of McKellen, Mortensen, and Wood back for anewLord of the Ringsmovieis sure to storm the box office, but may signify a wider challenge Warner Bros. is facing. Relying on nostalgia to make money seems understandable enough, although risky in terms of creative integrity. ButI hope the franchise continues to correctly understand its source material, picking the right storylines from the content that it has the rights to - this may mean risky new territory for live-action. I wonder ifHunt for Gollum’srehashing of well-established characters means the franchise is reluctant to look at new angles.
There are lots of stories from the legendarium to tell, and I hope this can be done in the future, even ifHunt for Gollumgoes over familiar territory.
Lord of the Rings’appendices are rich in meaning worth circulating and preserving. Ensuringthe profitable future ofLord of the Ringsis essentialto its continuation, but a good story is priceless. There are tales, like that of Arvedui, that could make for an innovative fantasy movie. This tale has a similar word count to that ofantihero Helm Hammerhand, the subject ofWar of the Rohirrim, proving that an Arvedui project could be viable. There are lots of stories from the legendarium to tell, and I hope this can be done in the future, even ifHunt for Gollumgoes over familiar territory.
Ian McKellen’s Return As Gandalf Is Still Exciting (Even With Better Stories To Tell)
McKellen’s Return Is More Than Welcome
Sir IanMcKellen coming back toThe Lord of the Ringsas Gandalf is phenomenal news, whatever it signifies for the franchise as a whole.I would like to see novel corners of the appendices explored more, with Arvedui being a good example. But withWar of the Rohirrimsignaling a new stage for the franchise, there is scope forThe Hunt for Gollumto be a smart, novel, and authentically Tolkienian movie, as well as for Warner Bros. to boldly dive into lesser-known Tolkien tales in live-action and animation. As a fan, that’s what I hope will secureTheLord of the Rings' future.
10 Lord Of The Rings Characters Ranked By Chances Of Appearing In The Hunt For Gollum
With The Hunt for Gollum coming up, there are some classic Lord of the Rings characters that could soon be making an on-screen appearance again.
There may be a greater breadth of Tolkien stories to tell, even within Warner Bros. rights, thanThe Hunt for Gollumwould make apparent. However, the members of the Fellowship of the Ring were beloved for good reason - the Fellowship was made up of an incredible cast and based on a life-changing book.My concerns thatThe Hunt for Gollummay depend too much on a nostalgic crowd response will remain, but until I see the movie, I look forward to getting Ian McKellen back doing what he does best inThe Lord of the Rings.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum
Cast
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is an upcoming fantasy adventure film that delves into the story of Gollum’s obsession with the One Ring.
