Andy Serkis has responded to questions about the all-white cast announced so far for his upcoming film The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. In a BBC interview the actor and director explained the approach to casting for the movie now in production.
Serkis said the film will somewhat acknowledge the franchise’s lack of diversity. He noted that Tolkien drew from Norse mythology and described the Shire as a very white place where residents prefer to keep outsiders away.
The announced cast includes Jamie Dornan, Anya Taylor-Joy, Kate Winslet, Lee Pace, Leo Woodall, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen and Serkis himself. Serkis added that the production does not intend to pursue politically correct casting just for the sake of ticking boxes.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is scheduled to open in theaters on December 17, 2027. Additional cast members have not yet been revealed.
