Andy Serkis: What Happened to Your Gaming Magic?

Actor and director Andy Serkis, renowned for his motion capture work and voice role as Gollum in the original *Lord of the Rings* trilogy, has long been seen as a decent guy. He’s also been involved in various charitable efforts throughout his career. However, in recent years, he seems to have adopted a controversial stance on issues like cancel culture and AI, particularly in light of criticism regarding the all-white cast of his upcoming film, *Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum*. When confronted about this, he dismissed concerns about “politically correct” casting.

In a recent interview, Serkis addressed the backlash surrounding the predominantly white cast of his new project. Given the criticism aimed at the original films for similar reasons, many were surprised to see a lack of diversity in this latest installment. While acknowledging the past criticisms, Serkis appeared somewhat defensive, stating, “Yes, there have been criticisms. This particular film is somewhat acknowledging that. But I don’t think we will be doing a politically correct just-casting-for-the-sake-of-casting-and-ticking-boxes version of the film. So, it’s where relevant basically.”

He further commented on the nature of the Hobbits’ home, The Shire, describing it as “very, very white” and suggesting that its inhabitants are not particularly concerned with the world beyond their borders.

This perspective is particularly troubling given the backlash faced by actors of color in Amazon’s *The Rings of Power*, where some were subjected to severe online harassment. Notably, former Hobbit actors Elijah Wood, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan took a stand to defend their fellow cast members. Serkis’ remarks echo some of the same sentiments expressed by critics of *Rings of Power*, which feels disheartening.

In recent years, Serkis has made several comments that have left fans questioning his views. In 2023, he expressed concerns about the cancel culture phenomenon, stating, “You can be cancelled for anything now,” and lamenting what he called “trial by media.”

His past comments regarding Scarlett Johansson’s casting as a trans man resurfaced during this interview, and instead of acknowledging the need for better representation, he doubled down on his original stance, asserting that anyone should be able to play any role, regardless of their identity.

Serkis also expressed enthusiasm for potentially playing Voldemort in the upcoming HBO *Harry Potter* series, humorously stating he would go to great lengths for the role.

On the topic of generative AI, Serkis confirmed that some machine learning techniques are being utilized to de-age actors in *The Hunt for Gollum*. He described AI as a “creative tool,” provided it’s not used exploitatively or harmfully. He noted that AI can serve as a valuable resource for reference material, while also condemning its use for non-consensual content or theft. Although he believes AI won’t replace human performances anytime soon, he seems open to its integration into filmmaking, having recently appeared in *Young Washington*, a film enhanced by generative AI.

Looking at Serkis’ recent projects, *The Hunt for Gollum* has the potential to be a worthwhile addition to the franchise, though it also raises concerns about being a cash grab aimed at capitalizing on nostalgia. Earlier this year, he released an animated adaptation of *Animal Farm*, which faced criticism for straying too far from George Orwell’s original themes, incorporating humor that detracted from the story’s darker elements. Critics were harsh, with one stating that the film “drains all life and joy out of a person’s soul.”

In his interview, Serkis mentioned that the film concludes with a message dedicated to the oppressed, suggesting that “your time will come.” However, if a film requires an explicit message in the credits to convey its themes, it may indicate a misstep in execution.

*Animal Farm* raises questions about Serkis’ artistic direction, and his recent comments on race and casting have only added to the unease surrounding his current trajectory.