The upcoming “The Hunt for Gollum” film from Warner Bros. has been stirring up curiosity and intrigue from the second it was introduced earlier this yr. General, the response has been constructive, and there was a normal buzz as information leaked that the film will probably be directed by Andy Serkis and have Peter Jackson and different Center-earth alumni on board. British nationwide treasure Ian McKellen additionally revealed that he had been approached to reprise his function as Gandalf, and John Rhy-Davies even expressed curiosity in a return (sans make-up).
Regardless of all of those enjoyable developments, the latest bit of stories concerning potential casting takes the cake. The powers that be are speaking with the person himself, Viggo Mortensen, to return as Aragorn. In an interview with The Playlist, author Philippa Boyens mentioned that she, Peter Jackson, and Fran Walsh (collectively known as the “mind belief” of the resurgent Center-earth film motion) are on board with Viggo reprising the function. The remainder is as much as the actor himself. Boyens mentioned,
“Truthfully, that is solely going to be as much as Viggo, collaboratively and we’re at a really early stage. I’ve spoken to Viggo, Andy [Serkis] has spoken to him, Peter [Jackson] has spoken to him, we have all spoken to one another and truthfully, I can’t think about anybody else enjoying Aragorn, however will probably be fully and completely as much as Viggo.”
Boyens added that she is aware of Serkis desires Mortensen again. She additionally clarified that the query right here is not about getting older, AI de-aging, or “digital make-up,” as she calls it (that got here up when actor Orlando Bloom was requested about returning earlier this yr). Boyens defined,
“Whether or not Viggo does it or will solely depends upon how good the script is. And he would not have a script but. So to be honest to Viggo, let’s examine if we write a adequate function and that he can discover sufficient in it to see that it is a efficiency he desires to tackle. After that, it will be between Viggo and Andy of how that’s achieved.”
Mortensen’s want for a rigorous high quality examine has precedent
Philippa Boyens’ feedback on Viggo Mortensen’s have to work with a very good script do not come out of skinny air. Neither is this new info. Up to now, Mortensen has already expressed that returning to Tolkien’s world is not off the desk. Nonetheless, as with all of his performing, he would not wish to make a return to Aragorn based mostly on cash or simply doing issues for the enjoyable of it. He desires to place the work in provided that a venture is worthy — particularly on this beloved fantasy world.
When the outstanding Tolkien fan chief Nerd of the Rings requested what his situations could be if Mortensen was approached for a return to Center-earth, the actor responded:
“Typically talking, I would love it to really feel like a Tolkien story. Initially, the best way it reads, that it feels linked, in keeping with what Tolkien was writing about, ? His supply materials, what he was attempting to say. And I might assume if it is Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and the individuals like that who’re behind this not directly, even when they are not directing one of many tales, they are going to make it possible for it has that really feel — I imply, they definitely bought the feel and appear of Tolkien. It felt proper, even when they did some issues that weren’t in “The Lord of the Rings,” the feel and appear of all the things they did was respectful of Tolkien’s storytelling, I feel, and so it will be that, firstly.”
Only for the file, Mortensen additionally expressed an openness to be concerned behind the digicam (Serkis type) in future Center-earth diversifications if the chance arises — an expertise we’d be on board with each step of the best way. This additionally jives with one thing Philippa Boyens mentioned in The Playlist interview when she clarified that even when Mortensen decides it is time to cross the torch, they’d nonetheless like to have him on board for the manufacturing and the method of handing the character off. She added that the ultimate determination is months away and positively will not come till he will get a script.
What is going to The Hunt for Gollum be about?
So, what is going to “The Hunt for Gollum” be about? This query has been damaged down advert nauseam for the reason that working title announcement. We already know a number of tidbits, like the truth that the story will happen between “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” tales (a interval of roughly 77 years) and can probably observe Gollum’s actions after he loses his Ring. Serkis additionally instructed Deadline that the movie will discover Gollum’s psychology.
Now, Philippa Boyens has gone on file specifying that the film will concentrate on a time after Bilbo’s 111th celebration and shortly earlier than Frodo leaves the Shire (a stretch of simply 17 years). She added that it will begin with Gandalf sending Aragorn on a quest to seek out Gollum (one thing that occurs within the books), which might make the Ranger a central determine within the plot. Boyens mentioned:
“Sure, it is intentionally the bridging movie and the story we needed to inform. It does heart on Gollum/Smeagol, so it is just a little little bit of an origin story occurring, however while you delve into it, as you do with something Professor Tolkien wrote, you see the layers and layers of story that is beneath there and the way interconnected all of them are.”
Boyens additionally added the apparent however important clarification that the destiny of a number of major characters would already be identified. This does not make it unattainable to inform a very good story, however that form of foreknowledge requires a particular narrative presentation in the event that they wish to flip it from a drawback to a bonus. These are the challenges dealing with “The Hunt for Gollum” in the mean time, and but, as Warner Bros.’ different Center-earth adaptation, the anime “The Warfare of the Rohirrim,” expenses into the theaters, these sorts of updates on future Tolkienian tasks are cheery fodder for an excited fanbase as they sit up for a shiny future stuffed with potential.