Andy Serkis on returning to Gollum after 26 years: "I sleep terribly"

British actor Andy Serkis has spoken about the toll of returning to the role of Gollum. According to The Times, as reported by the Polish site WP Film, Serkis will not only play the title character in "The Hunt for Gollum" but also direct the whole film.

"I sleep terribly"

In the interview, the actor admitted he has lived with the character for a very long time, and that going back to a role he first played 26 years ago is strongly affecting his nights. "I sleep terribly," Serkis said. He added that his mind is very active, so he wakes up in the night.

He also described moments when he does not know whether he is asleep or awake. At such times he asks himself whether he is directing Gollum, or Gollum is directing him.

A role changes the actor

Serkis is currently promoting his new book, "My Pressures". Speaking about it, he said the characters people play constantly change them. In his view, an actor learns something about themselves or the world through them, and that changes how they see reality.

He said that resting and "resetting" after playing a character can take a long time. With Gollum, that process may never end. Serkis said he does not think Gollum will ever leave him.

What we know about the film

The film is titled "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum". According to WP Film, its release is scheduled for 17 December 2027.

Earlier, Serkis and the project's creators, including Peter Jackson and Philippa Boyens, spoke to Deadline about their reasons for returning to Middle-earth. They said the film is meant to be Serkis's own take on Gollum's story, not simply a fourth part of the trilogy.

What this means for you

This is film industry news with no direct legal or financial consequences. For Tolkien fans living in the UK, it is a note on the release date: the film is reported to reach cinemas at the end of 2027. Release dates in Poland and the UK may differ, and the source does not give them.