Andy Serkis addresses diversity concerns in Lord of the Rings cast with new film

Andy Serkis, known for his roles in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, defended the casting choices for his upcoming film, The Hunt for Gollum, during an interview on July 14, 2026. The film, set to release in cinemas next Christmas, explores Gollum's backstory and the origins of the One Ring.

Serkis on the casting choices

Serkis acknowledged that the previous Lord of the Rings films featured predominantly white casts, a trend that continues with the current film. Notable cast members announced include Jamie Dornan, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Kate Winslet. He noted, "Tolkien himself was influenced a lot by Norse mythology, there's a lot of that feeling," highlighting the cultural context of the original works.

He further explained, "The Shire feels very, very much like a very white... They're not very concerned about what goes on beyond the borders of The Shire." Despite acknowledging criticisms regarding diversity, Serkis emphasized that the film would not adopt a politically correct approach merely for the sake of diversity.

Future of the franchise

While Serkis is directing The Hunt for Gollum, he confirmed he will not direct the sequel, Shadow of the Past, written by Stephen Colbert. He expressed excitement about Colbert's involvement, stating, "That's going to be a fascinating story too. I know it's something that Stephen's very, very excited about being part of."

As for the current film, Serkis hinted at more casting announcements in the coming months, suggesting a continued evolution of the franchise.

Serkis's journey with Animal Farm

In addition to his work on The Hunt for Gollum, Serkis is also promoting his animated adaptation of Animal Farm, featuring an all-star voice cast including Seth Rogen and Woody Harrelson. Serkis reflected on the emotional impact of the book during his childhood, stating, "It was one of the first young adult books that affected me emotionally and made me terribly sad for this utopia that had been created by these animals."

He humorously dismissed any speculation about CIA funding for his version, asserting, "There's absolutely, and I can categorically say, zero chance that our film could have been funded by the CIA." With a budget of $35 million, the film's box office performance is being closely monitored.