The Lord of the Rings is perhaps one of the best movies. If you have not seen it yet, then go and see it now.
The trilogy based on the Lord of the Rings books and directed by Peter Jackson had some of the best scenes shot against the breathtaking scenery of New Zealand.
When Warner Brothers this year named their new film ‘The Hunt for Gollum’, many fans soon became interested in whether they would set the film in New Zealand. Keep reading to find out.
The Hunt for Gollum: What We Know So Far
The Hunt for Gollum has Andy Serkis recast as the role of Gollum. It is also highly probable that Sir Ian McKellen will come back as Gandalf.
The much-anticipated film is to be out in 2026 (expect delays). According to new ideas, Serkis played Gollum in the film, bringing a different viewpoint. Along with Serkis and McKellen, Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens are collaborating as producers of the film, which boosts the expectation that it will be as incredible as the first trilogy.
Supposedly looking at Gollum’s character long before the Lord of the Rings, it’ll include fresh and never-told-before Middle-earth stories.
Will the World of Tolkien be Brought to Life in New Zealand Again?
So, the question at hand. Will they film in New Zealand again?
The world appreciation that New Zealand received through the original trilogy has led many fans and even insiders in the industry to hope it’ll return for the new film.
While The Rings of Power, Amazon’s recent Lord of the Rings series, moved back to the UK for filming, New Zealand firmly expressed its willingness to host The Hunt for Gollum, even encouraging the production with the New Zealand Film Commission.
The patronage of the film is probably to be guided by whichever offers financial returns, the ability to implement the film, and vice versa with New Zealand being able to rebuild itself as the home of Middle Earth.
Still, it isn’t confirmed whether some of the film will be shot in New Zealand; we can’t give you an accurate answer.
The Consequences of Rings of Power Relocating to the UK
The filming of the Lord of the Rings original series, the Rings of Power by Amazon, was pushed back to the UK starting from season one. This option appeared to be planned considering the economic situation and upgraded resources in the UK. Rings of Power season two’s filming in the UK was an eye-opener, focusing on the issues of filming tax credits, as international borders in New Zealand had reportedly influenced that choice.
Still, New Zealand doesn’t back down, ensuring a perfect setting for Middle-Earth.
Why New Zealand Should Be Middle-Earth
As much as the characters of The Hunt for Gollum, New Zealand’s landscapes got the majority of the attention from the fans throughout the years, with places such as Hobbiton, Tongariro, and other locations becoming on everyone’s visit list. Everyone went crazy. Every casino in New Zealand created a series of fantasy-inspired games that drew on the popularity of the genre at the time, every person visiting went to the filming sights – everyone loved it.
The vast and massive landscape and looming mountains are simply stunning and were able to achieve the look that Tolkien wanted. Negotiations are in place for the movie to shift back to New Zealand with opportunities from The New Zealand Film Commission and industry.
Simply put, New Zealand is the Lord of the Rings. It’s almost entitled to be the home of the new film.
There’s a lot of anticipation for The Hunt for Gollum—the film has so much to live up to. The prospect looks promising, especially considering the involvement of Warner Bros., Andy Serkis, and some of the original trilogy cast members. Let’s see how it turns out and where they’ll film.
