Overview
- The March 2026 Empire issue, on sale January 15, reunites Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, Billy Boyd and Ian McKellen for a new interview and photo shoot.
- Peter Jackson and co-writer Philippa Boyens look back on the trilogy’s risks and scale, with Jackson reflecting, “What the hell were we thinking?”
- Philippa Boyens says pre-production is underway in New Zealand with Jackson producing, Fran Walsh and Boyens among the writers, and Andy Serkis directing.
- Boyens reports seeing Serkis shoot motion-capture test footage and describes the new film as an adventure with a strong psychological, interior focus.
- Serkis calls directing a “phenomenal challenge” that must honor devoted fans while feeling new to first-timers, as the film targets a December 17, 2027 release with preparations to shoot later this year.