Peter Jackson Says JOKER Inspired the Psychological Approach to THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE HUNT FOR GOLLUM

Fans excitd to head back to Middle-earth with The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum can expect something much different from the sweeping fantasy adventure of the original trilogy.

This next chapter sounds like it’s digging deep into the fractured mind of Sméagol himself, and according to Peter Jackson, one unexpected movie helped shape that direction with Joker.

While speaking at the Cannes Film Festival, Jackson explained that the 2019 DC film starring Joaquin Phoenix became a major point of reference while developing the story with director Andy Serkis. The comparison actually makes a lot of sense as both characters are tragic, broken souls spiraling into obsession and madness.

Jackson said: "We were thinking about the original Joker film, the one with Joaquin Phoenix. The way that explored the Joker’s psychology while it was telling a story. We’ve got the story that’s in the appendices, and we’ll tell that story, but we’ll tell it from an internal Gollum perspective."

That approach makes The Hunt for Gollum feel more personal and character-driven than fans may have expected. The movie will reportedly follow Aragorn during his mission to track down Gollum before he can reveal the location of the One Ring to Sauron. But the bigger hook seems to be the film’s focus on Sméagol’s descent and fractured psyche.

Jackson went on to explain how adapting Tolkien’s appendices gave them room to reinterpret events through Gollum’s eyes:

"You’re taking written things by Tolkien and filming them from a certain POV, and that means you have to get inside his head. I’ve got no particular desire to get inside Gollum’s head," he said with a laugh. "Andy Serkis can do that himself."

It’s honestly hard to imagine anyone better suited for that task than Serkis. He’s been tied to the character for over two decades, and now he’ll not only reprise the role but direct the movie as well.

Jackson clearly believes Serkis is the right filmmaker to tackle the material, adding: "I thought the film would be more interesting if Andy did it.

“I honestly, truly believe that if it’s a film about Gollum’s addiction and internal struggles, Andy would make a much more interesting film than me. If I thought I’d do a better film, I’d do it. But I thought, there’s a guy that’s going to make a really interesting film here and it’s not me."

That “addiction and internal struggles” description is probably the biggest clue yet about the movie’s tone. Jackson also cleared up some confusion about what material Warner Bros. can actually adapt from Tolkien’s work while Amazon continues exploring another side of Middle-earth with The Rings of Power.

According to him, the appendices attached to The Lord of the Rings are full of untapped stories. He explained:

"We’re legally allowed to adapt anything from The Lord of the Rings books. Now, The Lord of the Rings has got these big appendices at the end. Fifty or 60 pages of Tolkien’s notes, background on characters and stuff that’s not in the actual novel but is tacked on at the end. Little side stories, embellishments, enlargements — and part of The Hunt for Gollum is described in that."

Jackson continued: "Gollum’s childhood and how he became what he was. Him trying to get to the Shire, and the Rangers tracking him down. He ends up being captured and taken to Mordor — it’s all in the appendices."

That opens the door for the filmmakers to flesh out parts of Gollum’s history fans have only heard referenced before. The movie will reportedly explore Sméagol long before he became the twisted creature audiences first met in Jackson’s original trilogy.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum stars Andy Serkis as Sméagol/Gollum alongside Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins, Lee Pace as Thranduil, Jamie Dornan as Aragorn, Leo Woodall as Halvard, and Kate Winslet as Marigol.

The screenplay comes from Philippa Boyens, Fran Walsh, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou, with Jackson producing the project.

The film is currently set to hit theaters on December 17, 2027.