After receiving an honorary Palme d’Or from Elijah Wood at the Cannes Film Festival, Peter Jackson finally addressed one of Middle-earth’s biggest lingering questions: why he won’t direct the upcoming The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. And according to Jackson, the decision had less to do with stepping away from the franchise than with making room for the person best suited to tell this story.
Speaking during a master class at Cannes, Jackson explained that although he could have directed the film, he simply felt the project belonged in different hands.
“I could have directed it, but I thought, ‘I’ve done that,’” Jackson admitted. But the reasoning went deeper than creative fatigue. The story’s focus on Gollum’s fractured psyche and addiction made one collaborator stand out above everyone else.
“The film is about the psychological and addiction part of Gollum,” Jackson said. “I thought, ‘Andy knows this guy better than anybody.’ So I actually didn’t think much about me directing the new movie. I thought the most exciting version of this movie is if Andy Serkis makes it.”
The choice feels especially fitting given Andy Serkis’ long history with the character. Across six films, Serkis transformed Gollum into one of cinema’s most iconic digital performances, shaping everything from the creature’s voice and movements to his tortured inner life.
Jackson, however, will remain closely involved as a producer, albeit from a respectful distance.
“I’m leaving it to him. I’m here to help where I can. But I don’t interfere. I’ve given him as much freedom as I can,” he explained.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is currently slated for a December 2027 theatrical release, with production expected to take place in Wellington, New Zealand.
Jackson also used the Cannes appearance to provide updates on several personal projects. He confirmed that he is currently writing another The Adventures of Tintin film alongside longtime collaborator Fran Walsh, even revealing that he had been working on the screenplay from his hotel room during the festival. In addition, he expressed hopes of directing a future feature centered on the 1943 Dambusters Raid.
For now, though, the spotlight belongs to Serkis. And if Jackson’s instincts are right, audiences may be about to see the definitive exploration of Middle-earth’s most tragic character yet.