Andy Serkis defends casting choices for upcoming Lord of the Rings prequel

Andy Serkis, star and director of the forthcoming Lord of the Rings prequel The Hunt for Gollum, said the film’s casting reflects J. R. R. Tolkien’s inspiration from Norse mythology. In an interview with BBC News he described the Shire as “a very white place” and explained that the story’s setting does not call for a racially diverse cast.

Serkis rejected the idea of creating a “politically correct” version merely to tick diversity boxes, stating, “We don’t think we will make a politically correct version just for ticking boxes. It will only be where relevant.” He acknowledged criticism of the original trilogy’s largely white cast and noted that fans are increasingly vocal about representation.

Production on The Hunt for Gollum began recently, with a cast that includes Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood, Anya Taylor‑Joy, Kate Winslet, Jamie Dornan and others. The film is slated for release in December 2027 (mid‑December dates have been reported).