Hot on the heels of the news that Peter Jackson is producing the new set of Lord of the Rings films, it’s now been announced that the first will be directed by and star Andy Serkis.

Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum (working title) is expected to be released in 2026.

Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens will produce the film.

In a statement, the trio said: “It is an honour and a privilege to travel back to Middle-earth with our good friend and collaborator, Andy Serkis, who has unfinished business with that Stinker – Gollum! As life long fans of Professor Tolkien’s vast mythology, we are proud to be working with Mike De Luca, Pam Abdy and the entire team at Warner Bros on another epic adventure!”

And Serkis said, “Yesssss, Precious. The time has come once more to venture into the unknown with my dear friends, the extraordinary and incomparable guardians of Middle Earth Peter, Fran and Philippa. With Mike and Pam, and the Warner Bros team on the quest as well, alongside WETA and our film making family in New Zealand, it’s just all too delicious…”.