Peter Jackson says the next trip to Middle-earth needs a different guide, and he wants Andy Serkis to lead the way.

Speaking at Cannes, Jackson explained why he chose not to direct Lord of the Rings: Hunt for Gollum, even though he could have taken the job himself. He said he has already done that work and sees more value in handing this particular story to Serkis, whose connection to Gollum runs deep. Reports indicate the film takes place between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, placing it in a stretch of the timeline that offers room for a new perspective without leaving familiar ground.

Jackson made clear that stepping back was a creative choice, not a retreat: he sees Serkis as the right filmmaker for a story built around Gollum.

The decision matters because Serkis does not arrive as an outsider. He helped define Gollum on screen, and his long history with the franchise gives him unusual authority over a character who sits at the edge of heroism, obsession, and ruin. Jackson’s remarks suggest he wants this film to avoid feeling like a replay of earlier victories. Instead, he appears to be betting that a more character-driven angle can keep the franchise alive without simply revisiting old terrain.

Key Facts

  • Peter Jackson said at Cannes that he chose not to direct Lord of the Rings: Hunt for Gollum.
  • Jackson said Andy Serkis would offer a more interesting approach for this story.
  • Reports indicate the film takes place between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
  • Jackson also said another Tintin project is in the works.

Jackson also used the Cannes appearance to signal movement on another long-dormant title: Tintin. He did not appear to offer extensive detail, but the update alone gives fans a reason to pay attention. For a filmmaker whose name remains tied to giant fantasy worlds and ambitious adaptation, the mention of both Middle-earth and Tintin in the same conversation underlines how much unfinished business still surrounds his creative orbit.

What happens next will shape more than one legacy. Hunt for Gollum now carries the challenge of expanding Middle-earth under a new director while still satisfying audiences who associate the series with Jackson’s touch. And if the Tintin effort advances, it could reopen another franchise that has lingered in development for years. For studios and fans alike, the signal from Cannes looks clear: familiar worlds still matter, but the people steering them may be changing.