Lord Of The Rings Star Explains Why His Character Still Haunts Him

The star behind one of The Lord of the Rings’ most iconic characters explains why the role still haunts him to this very day.

Andy Serkis is preparing to return to Middle-earth on the big screen. Now more than two decades after he debuted as Gollum in the original Lord of the Rings trilogy, Serkis finally opens up about the toll that playing the character took on him. As viewers know, Gollum is a very complicated and dark character, so having to play and stay in character for a role like that could naturally cause some internal turmoil and be traumatizing for the actor himself.

Serkis, who is directing and starring in the highly anticipated movie, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, revealed the unusual relationship he developed with the titular character throughout the years of playing him. Although the role helped his career a great deal, portraying him required the actor to go into the mind of someone who is very obsessive, guilt-ridden, and experiences a lot of internal conflict.

Serkis has revealed to The Times that playing Gollum was affecting his sleep. More than two decades after first portraying one of the franchise’s most recognizable characters, the actor explained that taking on the role of Gollum is more intense than viewers think. He further elaborated, stating that sometimes he struggles with separating the character from other things.

Serkis also spoke about the challenges of returning to a role he first took on 26 years ago. The actor explained that he already has a very “active mind” and revisiting the character in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum has only made things even louder for him, impacting his sleep. He added that sometimes he couldn’t even tell if he was awake or still asleep.

I’ve just lived with Gollum for such a long period. I’m a terrible sleeper. My mind is pretty active, and it has been insane going back to the character I started playing 26 years ago, and so I’m waking up at night. Actually, I don’t know if I’m asleep or awake, but I think, Am I directing you, Gollum? Or you me? Are we arguing?’ My mind is…busy.

Although Serkis described the whole situation lightheartedly, his statement also revealed how mentally demanding roles as intense as Gollum can become. The actor is approaching the character from two perspectives at the exact same time (himself playing somebody else and getting into the mindset of a disturbed Stoor Hobbit). And, for this specific film, he gets to add another layer to the already complicated process, directing The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.

Originally named Sméagol, Gollum was corrupted by the Ring after murdering Déagol to steal it. His attachment to it eventually caused his mental state to deteriorate, causing him to lose his sense of self. The tragic incident left him with a split personality, what remains of his humanity and the darker personality that was created by his obsession with the Ring.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum will be released in theaters on December 17, 2027.

Release Date

December 17, 2027

Writers

Arty Papageorgiou, Phoebe Gittins, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, J.R.R. Tolkien