Andy Serkis Says Gollum Still Haunts His Sleep

Andy Serkis has revealed that playing Gollum in The Lord of the Rings franchise still disrupts his sleep, more than two decades after first taking on the role. Serkis, who is directing and starring in the upcoming film The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, told The Times that revisiting the character has intensified his already active mind, causing him to wake at night and sometimes struggle to distinguish between being asleep and awake. He described the experience as mentally demanding, noting the challenge of separating the obsessive, guilt-ridden character from himself. The actor is approaching the role from dual perspectives as both performer and director for the new movie, which is scheduled for release on December 17, 2027. Gollum, originally named Sméagol, was corrupted by the Ring after murdering his friend Déagol to steal it, leaving him with a split personality that has defined the tragic character.