- Primary Subject: Peter Jackson's directorial absence from The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum
- Key Update: At the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, Peter Jackson explained why he did not direct the upcoming installment.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: May 14, 2026
- Quick Answer: Peter Jackson declined to direct because he believes Andy Serkis’s intimate psychological connection to Gollum will create a far more compelling and deeply personal movie.
Peter Jackson recently explained why he is not directing The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum despite helming the award-winning original trilogy.
The Middle-earth franchise is returning to the big screen next year with a new installment that will focus on fan-favorite Gollum. Andy Serkis, who plays the character, will be directing the movie. While fans are happy to see him involved behind the scenes, some are still wondering why Jackson did not return to helm the installment.
Why Peter Jackson Did Not Direct The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum
According to The Hollywood Reporter, while accepting an honorary Palme d'Or at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, Peter Jackson explained why he decided not to direct The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.
He said that it is more interesting for Serkis to direct the installment since he can easily access Gollum's psychology, as he has portrayed him before.
"I thought, well, this story would actually be more interesting if Gollum himself directed it — and Andy is about as close as you can get, the Oscar-winning filmmaker said on stage.
"The film is very much an internal story about Gollum's psychology and his sort of addiction. It's a very personal story to Gollum the character. And so I thought, well, Andy knows this guy better than anybody."
Jackson added that he was never interested in directing the installment, and he would rather pass the baton to Serkis.
"I didn't really think much about the idea of me doing it at all. I thought the most exciting version of this movie is going to be if Andy Serkis makes it, because he's going to put a Gollum psychology on screen that you cannot imagine," he said.
While Jackson is not directing the installment, he is still involved in the project as producer, and he is ready to help Serkis if he gets asked.
"I mean, I'm there to help when I can help. If I can be of assistance at certain times and answer questions, I'm there. But I don't interfere," he said.
What to Expect in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum
Drawing heavily from J.R.R. Tolkien’s footnotes, the story of The Hunt for Gollum bridges the gap between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring. It tracks Aragorn’s dangerous mission to find Gollum before Sauron can extract the Ring's whereabouts from him.
Returning from the previous films are Andy Serkis (as Gollum/Smeagol), Ian McKellen (as Gandalf), Elijah Wood (as Frodo Baggins), and Lee Pace (as Thranduil). Joining the cast are Kate Winslet (as Marigol), Leo Woodall (as Halvard), and Jamie Dornan (taking over the role of Aragorn).
The film is currently slated for release in theaters on December 17, 2027. Production will take place in New Zealand.
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