Andy Serkis Responds To Question About Lack Of Diversity In ‘LOTR’

Andy Serkis has said his Lord Of The Rings film The Hunt For Gollum will address concerns about diversity “where relevant” and without just “ticking boxes” during an interview with the BBC.

The BBC asked the veteran actor and director about what they described as a “lack of diversity” in the Lord Of The Rings film franchise and asked Serkis why his LoR film The Hunt For Gollum has so far only announced white actors as its main cast. 

“Tolkien himself was influenced a lot by Norse mythology; there’s a lot of that feeling,” Serkis told the BBC. “The Shire feels very, very much like a very, a very white, you know…”

Serkis continued: “They’re not very concerned about what goes on beyond the borders of The Shire, but they know they don’t want people coming in.” 

He then conceded that there “have been criticisms” and added that: “This particular film is somewhat acknowledging that. But we don’t think we will be doing a politically correct just-casting-for-the sake-of-casting-and-ticking-boxes version of the film. So, it’s only where relevant basically.”

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum reunites beloved figures from across Middle-earth, including Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Elijah Wood as Frodo, and Lee Pace as Thranduil. New actors announced for the film include Anya Taylor‑Joy, Kate Winslet, Jamie Dornan, and Leo Woodall.

The screenplay is written by Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, with Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou. Serkis is set to direct and will also return as Gollum in the film. 

Warner Bros. Pictures will release The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum worldwide on December 17, 2027.