New Lord of the Rings film, The Hunt for Gollum, in development

Andy Serkis is going back to Middle-earth to play Gollum in two new Lord of the Rings films.

Warner Bros Motion Picture Group's Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy said overnight that Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, the Oscar-winning team behind the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, will produce and Serkis will direct.

"Yesssss, Precious," Serkis said in a statement. "The time has come once more to venture into the unknown with my dear friends, the extraordinary and incomparable guardians of Middle Earth Peter, Fran and Philippa … It's just too delicious."

The working title is Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum and Walsh and Boyens are co-writing the screenplay. The collaboration between Warner Bros and New Line Cinema is expected to be released in 2026.

A statement from the three producers also confirmed parts of the new films would be shot in New Zealand.

“We couldn’t be more excited to start this new chapter with Andy. We’re looking forward to once again bringing the talents of New Zealand’s artists, actors and incredible crews back to the world of Middle-earth.”

It will likely create a host of job opportunities for Kiwis in the film and production industry.

The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films have made nearly US$6 billion (NZ$10 billion) combined at the box office. The Return of the King won a record 11 Oscars, including best director and best picture, tying Titanic and Ben-Hur for most won.

De Luca and Abdy said in a statement that this team represents their commitment to excellence in further contributing to the cinematic history of the Lord of the Rings.

Jackson, Walsh and Boyens, who consider themselves lifetime scholars of JRR Tolkien's worlds, added that they were looking forward to traveling back to Middle-earth with Serkis, "who has unfinished business with that Stinker - Gollum!"

The studio also has the animated fantasy The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim arriving in theatres in December.