Serkis juggling 'batman' sequel and 'gollum' project – can he pull it off?

Andy Serkis, the master of motion capture and beloved interpreter of both Gollum and Alfred Pennyworth, faces a scheduling tightrope walk. He's confirmed to return as Bruce Wayne's loyal butler in The Batman Part II, slated to begin production this summer and hit theaters October 1, 2027, while simultaneously directing and starring in Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, due December 17, 2027. The sheer proximity of these two major releases raises a significant question: how will Serkis manage this unprecedented double commitment?

The batman's script: a 'very, very different' direction

The news arrives amidst growing anticipation for The Batman Part II, fueled by Robert Pattinson's recent effusive praise of Matt Reeves' script. Pattinson, who embodies the brooding Dark Knight, described the screenplay as “extraordinary” and “very, very different” from its predecessor, hinting at a significant tonal and narrative shift. Reeves himself has been notably deliberate in the script's development, acknowledging a lengthy gestation period