Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum to Use AI De-Aging

Director Andy Serkis has confirmed that the upcoming film "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum" will use artificial intelligence to digitally de-age some of its returning cast members. The film, which Serkis is directing while reprising his iconic role as Gollum, is scheduled for release on December 17, 2027.

In an interview, Serkis stated that machine learning will be part of the process for a limited amount of de-aging, but emphasized that the production is otherwise relying on traditional filmmaking techniques. He pointed to the original trilogy's use of technology, noting that director Peter Jackson's MASSIVE program, which gave thousands of digital orcs individual behaviors, was an early example of AI in filmmaking. Serkis clarified that no shots in the new film are being generated by AI, and every scene is being created in a traditional manner.

The director expressed a desire to blend modern visual effects with classic practical artistry, aiming to build an aesthetic bridge between the styles of "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" trilogies. He said he specifically wanted to bring back skills like building miniatures, shooting on location, and using...