‘The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum’ director and star Andy Serkis is making it clear that technology will play a supporting role, not a defining one, in the new film. Although AI will be employed in certain capacities during production, Serkis says the essence of the film will be traditional filmmaking and real acting.
Rather than relying on artificial tools to create scenes or performances, Serkis says the upcoming Middle-earth adventure will stay faithful to the craftsmanship that made Peter Jackson’s original trilogy so beloved.
Andy Serkis Sets The Record Straight On AI’s Role In ‘The Hunt For Gollum’
When asked about the production of the film, Serkis explained that AI is being used only for the de-aging process. Other than that, all of the shots in ‘The Hunt for Gollum’ are being used for traditional filmmaking methods. “If we teach AI well, then it can help us across many industries,” Serkis told Variety.
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He also pointed out that AI-inspired technology has existed in filmmaking for years, citing the software used during ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy to give thousands of digital Orcs unique behaviors during massive battle sequences. The key for Serkis is the technology’s application. For him, the use of AI should complement the creative process, not take its place.
He wants to use practical effects and combine them with tech. “One of the things actually that I really wanted to do with this film was to bring back all of the great filmmaking skills, from miniatures to prosthetics, and marry them up, because that’s my taste. I like it when you mix up different filmmaking techniques.” That mix of old and new, he thinks, is a much more accurate representation of Middle-earth.
Andy Serkis Says AI Still Can’t Replace Actors
Serkis also rebutted the notion that AI can replace actors, especially in the realm of performance capture. He has been making characters like Gollum and Caesar come to life for decades. He believes that motion capture is just as much an acting performance as it is when you’re in costume on screen.
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“So I don’t think you’ll be able to replace performance not yet. For small prompted moments, I think it stands up.” While AI can perform specific, small tasks, Serkis believes it cannot replicate an actor’s emotional decisions, instincts, and creativity when playing a character. That human essence is vital to filmmaking.
The idea of ‘The Hunt for Gollum’ using artificial intelligence did concern fans, but Serkis’ vision is a relief. The film will make use of cutting-edge technology where appropriate. However, it will be built on real-world craftsmanship, human performances, and the enduring enchantment that has been the hallmark of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ for years.
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