In a feat of scheduling that would make a Time-Turner jealous, Andy Serkis has officially confirmed he will balance two of the most anticipated 2027 blockbuster movie releases. Following weeks of speculation regarding potential conflicts, representatives for the actor-director confirmed on April 7, 2026, that Serkis has finalized his timeline to both helm the new Lord of the Rings film and return to the streets of Gotham City.
Serkis is set to take the director’s chair for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, a prequel that explores the titular creature’s movements between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring. Not only is Serkis directing, but he will also reprise his iconic motion-capture performance as Sméagol/Gollum.
The production, which is being produced by Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens, is currently in active pre-production in New Zealand. Serkis recently confirmed that while the film will feature returning characters like Gandalf (Ian McKellen), the role of Aragorn will be recast to fit the timeline. The Hunt for Gollum is locked in for a global theatrical release on December 17, 2027.
While Middle-earth is a massive undertaking, Serkis isn’t hanging up his waistcoat just yet. He has officially signed on to reprise his role as Alfred Pennyworth in Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II.
“I’m pretty certain it’s all going to work out,” Serkis told Collider during a recent press event. “We’re working on it, but I think it’s all looking good.” To accommodate his directing duties in New Zealand, Serkis is reportedly scheduled to join the London-based Batman production—which begins principal photography this June—later in the year to film his scenes as Bruce Wayne’s loyal mentor. The Batman Part II is currently tracking for an October 1, 2027 release.
The dual commitment places Serkis at the center of the two biggest tentpole releases of 2027. This “double duty” highlight’s Serkis’ unique position in the industry as both a top-tier character actor and a formidable director of performance-capture technology.
• The Batman Part II: Reunites Serkis with Robert Pattinson, Jeffrey Wright, and Colin Farrell, with new additions Sebastian Stan (Two-Face) and Scarlett Johansson.
• The Hunt for Gollum: Marks the first live-action Middle-earth film since 2014, utilizing a script co-written by the original trilogy’s Oscar-winning team.
The logistics of filming a major blockbusters in London while directing a Middle-earth epic in New Zealand are intense. However, Warner Bros. Discovery—the studio behind both franchises—has reportedly been instrumental in aligning the production windows. By back-loading Serkis’ scenes for The Batman, the studio ensures that “the butler” remains a key part of the Bat-verse without delaying the return to the Shire.
