Will The Hunt for Gollum Really Be Two Movies? A Stretch Too Far?
So, the buzz around Middle-earth is heating up again with the announcement of "The Hunt for Gollum," and it’s causing quite a stir. Ian McKellen recently stirred the pot with some surprising news that this new film might be split into two parts—a notion that's raising eyebrows across the Tolkien fanbase.
McKellen, the venerable Gandalf from the original Lord of the Rings trilogy, shared this intriguing tidbit during an appearance on the British talk show This Morning . The 85-year-old actor, known for his iconic portrayal of the wizard, revealed that he’s heard rumors about the film being stretched into two separate movies. However, he candidly admitted he hasn’t seen the script yet, so it’s all still up in the air.
For those not closely following the saga, this development might seem a bit peculiar. Peter Jackson, the mastermind behind the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, is returning as a producer, while Andy Serkis—who famously portrayed Gollum—will be directing. Given Jackson's track record of turning relatively concise Tolkien tales into expansive trilogies, it’s not entirely surprising that this film might be planned as a two-parter.
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But here’s the rub: "The Hunt for Gollum" is not exactly a sprawling epic in Tolkien’s canon. It’s a subplot mentioned briefly in the appendices of The Lord of the Rings and in Unfinished Tales . The actual narrative, focusing on Aragorn’s quest to capture Gollum, spans a few pages and is only lightly touched upon in the grand scheme of Middle-earth's vast lore.
So, stretching this storyline into two full-length movies could be seen as quite a leap. It’s akin to trying to build a sprawling saga out of a minor subplot. While Jackson’s previous adaptations have certainly shown his flair for expanding on Tolkien’s universe, one has to wonder if this particular story has enough material to justify two films. Fans might be treated to extended scenes of Aragorn deep in thought or Gandalf making stops at various inns, but is that enough to fill the runtime?
Moreover, the return of Orlando Bloom as Legolas raises its own set of questions. Bloom will reportedly appear as a younger version of his iconic elf character, a logistical challenge considering he’ll be pushing 50 by the time filming wraps. The filmmakers plan to use AI technology to address this age discrepancy, a move that’s as fascinating as it is potentially fraught with its own set of challenges.
As intriguing as the possibilities are, one can’t help but feel a twinge of skepticism. While the world of Tolkien is indeed rich and ripe for exploration, there’s a thin line between expanding a story and stretching it too far. Perhaps Jackson and Serkis will surprise us with a compelling narrative that makes the most of this material, or perhaps this will be an example of excessive fan service.
Either way, the anticipation is palpable, and it will be fascinating to see how "The Hunt for Gollum" unfolds. Whether it ends up as a two-part epic or a singular, streamlined film, it’s clear that Middle-earth’s cinematic journey is far from over.
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