Director Peter Jackson said the upcoming film *The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum* will be similar to the movie *Joker* [1, 2].
This comparison signals a shift in narrative focus for the franchise, moving away from epic scale toward an intimate psychological study. By centering the story on a singular, complex antagonist, the production aims to explore the mental deterioration and motivations of one of Middle-earth's most divisive figures.
Speaking in May 2024 at the Cannes Film Festival in France, Jackson said the project requires a deep dive into the character's psyche [2]. He said the film will provide a perspective rooted in the protagonist's own mind, rather than observing him from the outside.
"You have to get inside his head," Jackson said [1].
The director further linked the approach to the storytelling style used in the Joaquin Phoenix-led *Joker* film. This method allows the audience to experience the world through the eyes of a character who is often misunderstood or feared by others [2].
"It’s like Joker – we’re going to tell the story from the inside, from his point of view," Jackson said [2].
The focus on an internal perspective suggests a departure from the traditional ensemble-driven journeys seen in the previous *Lord of the Rings* trilogy. Instead of a broad quest, the film will prioritize the psychological interior of Gollum to explain his actions and descent [1, 2].
“"You have to get inside his head."”
The decision to model the narrative after *Joker* indicates that *The Hunt for Gollum* will likely function as a character study rather than a standard adventure film. This approach allows the studio to expand the lore of Middle-earth by exploring the trauma and obsession of a specific character, potentially broadening the franchise's appeal to audiences interested in psychological dramas.
