LotR's Magic is Dead and Buried: Andy Serkis' Gollum Update is the Last Nail in the Coffin
Considering that the LotR film series is one of the highest-grossing franchises of all time, it's no surprise that Warner Bros. wants to make more films.
Unfortunately, the release of additional LotR movies can hardly be considered good news yet. And if a recent statement by Gollum actor Andy Serkis is anything to go by, the magic of the franchise is now well and truly dead.
In a recent interview with Brobible, Serkis was asked if he would consider reprising his role in one of the new films in the franchise if asked.
He responds with high praise for the film's original producers and writers, Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens. Justifying the chance to work with them once more as a good reason to return to his part as Gollum.
He goes on to say, "I think that there are so many other potential Middle-Earth projects which could come about, and if they're doing them, I would, of course, jump at the chance to have that relationship rekindled".
Although the idea of such fantastic producers as Jackson, Walsh, and Boyens, as well as a returning talent such as Andy Serkis, coming back to the franchise for future projects sounds like a good thing, the eagerness to blindly jump back into more films seems regrettably alarming.
Many fans in recent years, unfortunately, know the sting of revived franchises not meeting the expectations they once held. For instance, the mere mention of more Star Wars sequels still makes fans cringe.
The LotR series has already suffered such letdowns itself, as the mostly underwhelming and far too long Hobbit trilogy proves.
Although it was undeniably a financial success, the trilogy received mixed reviews. Which many labelled as "rushed" and "flawed" compared with Jackson's previous LotR movies.
Serkis' mention of a return to the series is probably not to be taken too seriously, considering there are no set plans for future films yet.
However, it undoubtedly proves a careless attitude towards the franchise's treatment. Including the flippant decision to do more films without asking how or why.
If Gollum returns in future films, what does that mean for his existence in the previous movies?
How can ongoing movies justify the character's return or any unexplored plots without damaging the vision of the original films?
When will the studios realise that expanding the franchise is the opposite of keeping the magic alive? You're simply killing something that was once great, and beating a dead horse in the process.