Andy Serkis upholds Tolkien fidelity in ‘Hunt for Gollum’ casting

Director Andy Serkis said the upcoming film “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” will not adjust its cast to meet diversity expectations. Serkis, who is directing and reprising his role as Gollum, spoke to the BBC this week. He addressed criticism of the announced cast, which includes returning actors Ian McKellen and Elijah Wood along with newcomers Anya Taylor-Joy, Kate Winslet and Jamie Dornan.

He acknowledged the criticism but stated the film would not cast actors merely to meet external expectations. Tolkien drew on Norse mythology for Middle-earth, and the director noted that the Shire’s residents reflect that background. He quoted the source material’s portrayal of an insular community that “don’t want people coming in.”

reactions Peter Jackson’s original trilogy faced similar criticism for its predominantly White cast of heroes. Some critics said the portrayal of villains relied on dark-skinned stereotypes. Amazon’s “The Rings of Power” series introduced the franchise’s first Black elves and dwarves. The choice drew backlash from some fans and drew a 2022 comment from Elon Musk on social media.

He cited his experience as one of the few White actors on the set of “Black Panther” as giving him perspective on minority roles in film. Original trilogy cast members later posted photos wearing T-shirts with elf ears in varied skin tones and the caption “You Are All Welcome Here” in support of the Amazon series.

Warner Bros. is scheduled to release “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” in December.