Los Angeles, CA – Fans of the iconic fantasy series “The Lord of the Rings” were taken by surprise when Warner Bros. recently announced a new movie idea titled “The Hunt for Gollum.” The concept, which sounded like fan fiction to some, is actually based on a 2009 fan-made film of the same name directed by Chris Bouchard.
After the announcement, Warner Bros. filed a copyright claim against the fan movie, leading to its temporary removal from YouTube. However, due to negative reactions from “Lord of the Rings” fans, the film was eventually restored to the platform. The takedown request was later confirmed to have been made in error by a studio source.
“The Hunt for Gollum” is set to be developed as a feature film by producer Peter Jackson, along with his writing partners Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens. Andy Serkis, known for his portrayal of Gollum in the original trilogy, is set to direct and reprise his role in the upcoming movie.
The fan-made version of “The Hunt for Gollum” explores events from the opening act of “The Fellowship of the Ring,” following Aragorn’s quest to track down Gollum at the request of Gandalf. The short film delves into a storyline that was only briefly mentioned in Jackson’s 2001 adaptation.
While the prospect of a movie focused on Gollum has raised skepticism among fans, the lead character in the film may actually turn out to be Aragorn, with Gandalf and Gollum playing supporting roles. It remains unclear if the fan-made film directly influenced Warner Bros.’ decision to pursue this project.
One possible source of inspiration for the new film could be the popularity of the video game “The Lord of the Rings: Gollum,” released the previous year. The unique character of Gollum, brought to life through impressive CGI in the original trilogy, has left a lasting impression on audiences worldwide.