Peter Jackson Explains Why He Isn't Directing 'The Hunt for Gollum' & Weighs in on AI in Movies: "A Bit Unfair"
The director believes the most important thing is protecting the actors' rights.
Peter Jackson attended the Cannes Film Festival, where he was awarded the honorary Palme d'Or. Elijah Wood, who played Frodo in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, presented the award to him.
During an interview, the director explained why he decided against making the next Middle-earth movie, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. He also addressed one of the most pressing issues of the moment: the use of AI in film.
Peter Jackson Says That No One Could Direct a Better Movie About Gollum Than Andy Serkis
Jackson said he knew right away that he couldn't direct this project. The story centers on Gollum's psychology and his morbid addiction to the One Ring.
Who knows this character better than Andy Serkis? Not only did the actor voice Gollum, he also provided his body language, facial expressions, and mannerisms. Jackson said:
“The film is about Gollum's psychology and addiction. I thought, ‘Andy knows this guy better than anybody.’ So I actually I didn't think much of me [directing the new movie]. I thought the most exciting version of this movie is if Andy Serkis makes it.”
Serkis will return to his famous role and direct his first movie set in the Tolkien universe. The premiere of The Hunt for Gollum is scheduled for December 17, 2027.
Peter Jackson Shared His Thoughts on the Use of AI in Cinema
Jackson also touched on the controversial topic of artificial intelligence. The director admitted that he doesn't view AI negatively – he considers it just another tool, similar to computer graphics or motion capture. However, there is one caveat.
Actors' rights must be protected – using digital copies of them without their consent is unacceptable. Otherwise, Jackson believes current discussions about AI will hinder the recognition of acting work created using motion capture technology.
He cited Andy Serkis as an example – although his portrayal of Gollum has become legendary, it is unlikely that he will ever win a major award. Why? Because the role was created using technologies that film academics still don't take seriously:
“I don't think a Gollum-type character or a generated character has any hope for winning any awards. Which is a bit unfair, especially in the Andy Serkis case where it's not an AI-generated performance, it's a human-generated performance 100% of the way.”
Serkis created Gollum entirely on his own – his facial expressions, voice, and movements are all live-action. However, motion capture technology has blurred the line between acting and animation for many viewers and critics.
