This Would Be Lord Of The Rings: The Hunt For Gollum’s Perfect Ending

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The upcoming film, ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum,’ directed by and starring Andy Serkis, will fit into the established story of Peter Jackson’s original ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy. It will likely show us more about Gollum’s history, possibly even before he lost the One Ring to Bilbo Baggins. The story mostly unfolds during the time jump in ‘The Fellowship of the Ring,’ specifically between Bilbo leaving the Shire and Frodo beginning his journey.

It’s unclear how The Hunt for Gollum will end. It would make sense for the movie to show Gollum rejoining Frodo and Sam on their way to Mordor, since we already know what happens to him afterward in The Two Towers and The Return of the King. However, there’s a powerful and emotional scene from later in the story that could also make for a very impactful ending.

The Hunt For Gollum Should End With The Eagles Rescuing Frodo & Sam

The climactic battle against Sauron famously concludes with Gandalf summoning eagles to save Frodo and Sam as Mount Doom collapses. Three eagles participate: Gwaihir carries Frodo, Meneldor rescues Sam, and Landroval seems unsure of what to do, circling around them.

Many fans believe the eagles were meant to save three characters: Frodo, Sam, and even Gollum. While this isn’t directly stated in J.R.R. Tolkien’s books or Peter Jackson’s films, it’s a common idea. Gandalf likely knew Gollum would be important in defeating Sauron and probably learned about Frodo and Sam’s journey with him through Faramir. Considering Gandalf’s wisdom and compassion, it’s reasonable to think he sent an eagle to try and rescue Gollum, even at the very end, so he wouldn’t die alone and in pain.

A strong ending for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum would be Gandalf stating his desire to find Gollum still alive, and summoning a third eagle to help with the search. The final scene could then show Gandalf’s joy at finding the hobbits, followed by his sorrow at discovering only two bodies. The story could even include Gandalf creating a simple grave for Gollum near the Black Gate, or simply taking a moment to remember him – any gesture of respect that was absent in The Return of the King.

Ian McKellen will play a significant role as Gandalf in The Hunt for Gollum. Andy Serkis has shared that he aims to explore Gollum’s character on a deeper, more human level. The film seems likely to reveal why Gollum is more than just someone obsessed with objects, and it appears Gandalf will come to believe Gollum deserves to survive.

It’s Impossible That The Hunt For Gollum Can Ignore Gollum’s Death

It makes sense that The Hunt for Gollum should take place before Gollum encounters Frodo and Sam. Otherwise, the movie risks simply repeating events from The Lord of the Rings. However, telling Gollum’s story without showing how he unintentionally saved Middle-earth is impossible, as that moment is crucial to his character.

Gollum doesn’t experience a true redemption in The Lord of the Rings. Instead, his crucial role comes about when he struggles with Frodo near the fiery cracks of Mount Doom. Despite this, Gollum is undeniably a tragic figure. Like Frodo, he’s a pawn of fate, instrumental in saving Middle-earth. Just as Frodo can only get so close to Mount Doom before the Ring’s power overwhelms him, Gollum’s all-consuming obsession leads to his downfall – quite literally. It’s the moment the Ring ensures its own destruction by fully corrupting someone to the point they’d rather fall to their death than let go of it.

Gollum’s suffering is unavoidable, even without him making a heroic choice, and it ultimately allows others to survive. Despite the darkness, the good part of his original self, Sméagol, never completely disappears. The film The Hunt for Gollum highlights the battle within him, and its ending should give viewers a deeper understanding and sympathy for Gollum than they felt at his death in The Return of the King. One way to achieve this would be to show Gandalf hoping for Gollum’s redemption – believing the last traces of Sméagol could still emerge after years of pain – and then grieving when Gollum dies.

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2026-03-30 17:28