The Lord of the Rings screenwriter Philippa Boyens shared more details about the upcoming The Hunt For Gollum film while also providing clarity as to what she and Warner Bros. are working on regarding film adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s works.

Philippa Boyens via Nerd of the Rings YouTube

In an interview with Empire, Boyens shared that the previously announced The Hunt for Gollum film, that Andy Serkis is directing, is a single film and not the first of two. However, she did share that a second film is in the works as well.

Speaking specifically to The Hunt for Gollum, Boyens stated, “I can tell you definitively it isn’t two films! That was a genuine misunderstanding that happened because we’ve begun to work, conceptually, on two different live-action films. The first being The Hunt For Gollum, the second one still to be confirmed.”

Andy Serkis as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), Warner Bros. Pictures

Boyens then shared plot details for The Hunt for Gollum, “It’s quite an intense story, which falls after the birthday party of Bilbo and before the Mines Of Moria.”

Next, she revealed the film will be told through Gollum’s perspective, “It’s a specific chunk of incredible untold story, told through the perspective of this incredible creature.”

Andy Serkis as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), Warner Bros. Pictures

Boyens’ comments come in the wake of Warner Bros. officially announcing the two films in a write-up at Deadline. Warner Bros. Film heads Mike DeLuca and Pam Abdy stated, “For over two-decades, moviegoers have embraced the Lord of the Rings film trilogy because of the undeniable devotion Peter, Fran and Philippa have shown towards protecting the legacy of Tolkien’s works, and to ensure audiences could experience the incredible world he created in a way that honors his literary vision.”

The duo added, “We are honored they have agreed be our partners on these two new films. With Andy coming aboard to direct ‘Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum,’ we continue an important commitment to excellence that is a true hallmark of how we all want to venture ahead and further contribute to the Lord of the Rings cinematic history.”

Ian McKellen as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), New Line Cinema

READ: Peter Jackson Explains Why He’s Returning To ‘The Lord Of The Rings’ With ‘The Hunt For Gollum’

Following this, Ian McKellen appeared on This Morning in September and said, ““Well, all I know is that they called me up and said that these films were going to happen, mainly be about Gollum, Andy Serkis, who played Gollum, is going to direct, and there would be a script arriving some time in the new year. That’s next year. And then I’ll judge whether I want to go back.”

He continued, “But I would. I would love to go back to New Zealand, number one. And I also don’t like the idea of anybody else playing Gandalf.”

When asked if there were more than one film, McKellen shared, “I’m told it’s two films. I probably shouldn’t be saying, but I haven’t read the script and I don’t know when it is and I don’t even know where it’ll be filmed because these days I could probably film it all in London, but I’d rather not. I’d rather go back [to New Zealand].”

Martin Freeman as Bilbo and Ian McKellen as Gandalf in The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014), Warner Bros.

Boyens addressed McKellen’s comments telling Empire, “We’re playing around with a number of ideas, but most of those ideas do include Gandalf.”

“So Gandalf would potentially return for two live-action films,” she concluded.

Ian McKellen as Gandalf confronts King Theoden in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2022), New Line Cinema

What do you make of Boyens’ update on The Hunt for Gollum?