Latest news with #AndySerkis
Geek Tyrant
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Peter Jackson Says He's 'Not Retired' and Confirms He's Writing Three New Screenplays — GeekTyrant
It's been a decade since Peter Jackson wrapped up The Hobbit trilogy, and while things have been relatively quiet on the filmmaking front for him, the Oscar-winning director wants fans to know he hasn't slowed down. In fact, he's busier than you might think. 'I'm certainly not retired,' Jackson told Screen Rant in a recent interview. 'We are currently working on three different screenplays. I'm at the moment writing three different scripts.' It's good to know that the filmmaker who delivered The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies has retired, and while Jackson didn't reveal what these projects are, there are a few clues about what he's been up to. We already know Jackson is producing The Hunt for Gollum , the upcoming Lord of the Rings movie that Andy Serkis is set to direct next year. 'We are producing and have been writing The Hunt for Gollum , which Andy Serkis is going to direct next year. I've enjoyed working on documentaries, whether they show I've grown old or not, and obviously the [The Beatles: Get Back] project. I've enjoyed doing various things with The Beatles, which is great, and that'll probably carry on.' Jackson's acclaimed docuseries The Beatles: Get Back gave fans an intimate look at the creation of the album Let It Be, and it sounds like his documentary work might continue alongside his narrative projects. Jackson is also fascinated by real-world science, specifically de-extinction. He's working with Colossal Biosciences, a company attempting to bring back extinct species. Jackson couldn't hide his excitement about one particular creature: 'To me, de-extincting the Moa would be just as exciting, if not more exciting, than any film I could possibly make,' Jackson said. 'I've made a lot of movies, but to see the Giant Moa brought back would be a level of excitement that I think would supersede anything at this point in time.' While Jackson is keeping himself busy, I would love to see him get back in the director's chair and direct a proper movie again. I've always loved his storytelling and filmmaking style! It would especially be cool to see him jump back into horror! As for The Hunt for Gollum , it's set to hit theaters on December 17, 2027 and will explore parts of Gollum's life that were never shown on screen. 'We really want to explore his backstory and delve into those parts of his journey we didn't have time to cover in the earlier films. It's too soon to know who will cross his path, but suffice to say we will take our lead from Professor Tolkien.' But, while Jackson may not be cranking out blockbusters like before, he's far from done shaping stories, both on screen and in the real world.
Malay Mail
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
‘I'm certainly not retired': With no new works since 2014, Peter Jackson confirms return to Middle-earth with ‘The Hunt for Gollum' in the works
AUCKLAND, July 14 — Peter Jackson has denied he is retired from making feature films, despite not making any cinema releases since 2014. The renowned New Zealand filmmaker said he is actually currently working on three different screenplays. 'No, no. I'm certainly not retired' he was quoted telling entertainment site Screen Rant. Jackson said he is producing and writing the film The Hunt for Gollum, which Andy Serkis is going to direct next year. 'I've enjoyed working on documentaries, whether they show I've grown old or not, and obviously the Get Back The Beatles project. I've enjoyed doing various things with The Beatles, which is great, and that'll probably carry on,' he reportedly said. Known for hits such as The Lord Of The Rings trilogy and King Kong, Jackson has not directed a feature film for cinemas since 2014's The Hobbit: The Battle Of The Five Armies. He has directed some documentaries for TV, such as They Shall Never Grow Old in partnership with the BBC, and The Beatles – Get Back for Disney+. Jackson is now promoting his collaboration with Colossal Biosciences, who are working to bring back the Giant Moa bird back from extinction. The Lord Of The Rings: The Hunt For Gollum was provisionally announced in 2023, with Serkis, who portrayed Gollum in the original trilogy, returning to the role and also directing the film. It is set for a 2027 release. In April, Serkis' former co-stars Liv Tyler, John Rhys-Davies, Sean Astin and Orlando Bloom spoke at a Q&A for the films, and said they would 'jump' at the chance to return for any spin-off movies.
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Peter Jackson Is Working on Three Screenplays: ‘I'm Certainly Not Retired'
It's been 11 years since Oscar-winning filmmaker Peter Jackson completed his 'Hobbit' trilogy. He has not directed a narrative feature since, though he certainly has not been stagnant. He did, however, direct the Beatles' docuseries 'Get Back' and the 3D WWI doc 'They Shall Not Grow Old,' which colorized and restored wartime footage. He also wrote and produced 'Mortal Engines' in 2018, and he was listed as an executive producer on the anime 'The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim' in 2024. But since he completed his last ode to J. R. R. Tolkien, he has not led a film set. Jackson, though, insists that he is not out of the game. More from IndieWire Superman's Underwear Returns: A Brief History of the Man of Steel's Red Trunks Alamo Founder Tim League Launches Private Movie Theater Experience in New York 'No, no. I'm certainly not retired,' Jackson told ScreenRant in an interview. 'We are currently working on three different screenplays. I'm at the moment writing three different scripts.' The 'District 9' director teased that more will be coming from both his 'Lord of the Rings' universe and Beatles retrospectives. 'We are producing and have been writing 'The Hunt for Gollum,' which Andy Serkis is going to direct next year,' he said. 'I've enjoyed working on documentaries, whether they show I've grown old or not, and obviously the 'Get Back: The Beatles' project. I've enjoyed doing various things with The Beatles, which is great, and that'll probably carry on.' What he might actually direct, he did not say. But what Jackson is most excited about, he revealed, involves pulling a real-life 'Jurassic Park' with a large prehistoric bird. 'But to me, de-extincting the Moa would be just as exciting, if not more exciting, than any film I could possibly make. I've made a lot of movies, but to see the Giant Moa brought back would be a level of excitement that I think would supersede anything at this point in time,' he explained. Jackson is speaking of the biotech company Colossal Biosciences, of which he is a major investor. The company, according to its website, is 'the world's first and only de-extinction company,' and goes on to write that 'Colossal is closer to restoring the past, preserving the present and safeguarding the future than anyone before. To truly illustrate our success, we must not only redefine de-extinction, but establish standards for the science behind it, as well.' Last year, Colossal was able to use fossil DNA to bring two dire wolves back from extinction after 10,000 years. No, really: here's the Time cover story. Best of IndieWire Guillermo del Toro's Favorite Movies: 56 Films the Director Wants You to See 'Song of the South': 14 Things to Know About Disney's Most Controversial Movie Nicolas Winding Refn's Favorite Films: 37 Movies the Director Wants You to See
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lord of the Rings' Peter Jackson addresses his directing future after 11-year hiatus
Sir Peter Jackson is 'certainly not retired' from directing. The 63-year-old filmmaker - who famously helmed The Lord of the Rings trilogy - last got behind the camera for a major Hollywood movie with 2014's The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies, and Jackson has now insisted his directing career is far from over. When Screen Rant asked him if he was retired from directing, Jackson said: 'No, no. I'm certainly not retired. We are currently working on three different screenplays. I'm at the moment writing three different scripts.' Jackson added he was currently producing The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, which will see Andy Serkis reprise his iconic titular role, while also serving as the director. He said: 'We are producing and have been writing The Hunt for Gollum, which Andy Serkis is going to direct next year. 'I've enjoyed working on documentaries, whether they show I've grown old or not, and obviously the Get Back The Beatles project. I've enjoyed doing various things with The Beatles, which is great, and that'll probably carry on.' As well as these projects, Jackson is also a major investor in Colossal Biosciences, which is currently working on bringing the Giant Moa back from extinction. The filmmaker added that bringing the big bird back would be 'just as exciting, if not more exciting, than any film [he] could possibly make'. He said: 'De-extincting the Moa would be just as exciting, if not more exciting, than any film I could possibly make. 'I've made a lot of movies, but to see the Giant Moa brought back would be a level of excitement that I think would supersede anything at this point in time.' The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum will take place during the events of 2001's The Fellowship of the Ring, and will see Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) go on a quest to find Sméagol/Gollum. However, Mortensen - who starred as the character in The Lord of the Rings trilogy - has not yet signed on to reprise Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. Writer Philippa Boyens explained to The Playlist: 'The Hunt for Gollum is set during The Fellowship of the Ring era, shortly before Frodo Baggins leaves the Shire for Rivendell. 'And it begins with Gandalf sending Aragorn on a quest to find Gollum, who the wizard fears may reveal information about the One Ring to Sauron, so Viggo Mortensen's appearance is crucial. 'But will he return? Honestly, that's entirely going to be up to Viggo, collaboratively and we are at a very early stage. 'I've spoken to Viggo, Andy has spoken to him, Peter has spoken to him, we've all spoken to each other and honestly, I cannot imagine anyone else playing Aragorn, but it will be completely and entirely up to Viggo.' Jackson previously explained that it made sense to explore Gollum more than the likes of Gandalf (Sir Ian McKellen) or Legolas (Orlando Bloom) with his own spin-off movie The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum - which is slated to hit cinemas on December 17, 2027. Speaking with Deadline, he said: 'The Gollum/Sméagol character has always fascinated me because Gollum reflects the worst of human nature, whilst his Sméagol side is, arguably, quite sympathetic. 'I think he connects with readers and film audiences alike, because there's a little bit of both of them in all of us. 'We really want to explore his backstory and delve into those parts of his journey we didn't have time to cover in the earlier films.'
BBC News
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Austitic teenager from Sanquhar dreams of big screen career
An autistic teenager from the south of Scotland is hoping to pursue a career in filmmaking after picking up a prize for his Ryan, 14, from Sanquhar, won the audience award at the recent Into Film event in received his honour from actor Andy Serkis and presenter Edith told BBC Scotland News he hoped to turn his passion for movie-making into a job in later life. Edward was born in Inverness and grew up in Forres but has lived in Sanquhar for almost a organisers of the awards described them as "celebration of talent" but also a "clear statement of intent".They said they wanted to show that the UK film industry "values, nurtures and believes in the voices of the next generation".Among those voices is Edward's. "I'd always loved making and building with Lego when I was younger and I wanted to make these Lego people and characters and things come to life," he said."So I then started to make stop-motion animations with these Lego characters and buildings and things like that, make little movies with them."Then I would then progress my skills with that and then get different equipment and better equipment."The Sanquhar Academy pupil was given a laptop by the local council for his school work which he started to use for making films and it has "progressed and progressed" from award-winning film - More Than One Way To Go Home - tells the story of a young autistic girl who has to find her own way home when her brother leaves her to fend for herself. He said winning the prize for his work was a special moment."It felt great, it was just overwhelming with all the support that I got from loads of people voting me for this award."It was just great. I am still in shock that I won."All the support from my community of Sanquhar, it's just been absolutely brilliant and I'm so grateful for all of it."It has fuelled his passion to pursue a life in cinema after he finishes his education. "I really want to go into the industry and hopefully become a director of photography," he said."That's my dream goal. So I'm hopefully just going to stick in and then go to college and university and just work my way up until I'm a director of photography and do what I want to do."His mother Jess said the whole family was "incredibly proud" of what Edward has achieved."He was a nominee in the best story category as well and even though he didn't win that prize it was still just an incredible achievement to be chosen," she said."That was a new category this year that the judges chose out of all the films that were entered."So it was an honour to know that he was chosen to be part of the best story category up against other filmmakers that were 18 or 19 years old.""We're just really, really proud of him and very thankful for the support the community gave him." She said the fact that he was autistic made it all the more remarkable."He's obviously had to overcome a lot of different challenges in his day to day life," she said."Filmmaking has been a way for him to express himself in ways that he has otherwise found difficult."It's been a really good outlet for him." She said she believed he could go further in the field where he has already started to thrive."We just feel proud and we just hope that he can continue on and achieve his goals and his dreams of one day being a director of photography," she said."I don't see why he can't, to be honest, he's got his sights set on the big screen."He's got a lot of hard work ahead of him, but he seems really enthusiastic for it."
