Andy Serkis Discusses Casting in “Lord of the Rings”
In a recent interview, Andy Serkis, the actor known for his role as Gollum in “The Lord of the Rings,” addressed a question from a reporter regarding the predominance of white actors in the film trilogy. Serkis, who is reprising his iconic role, spoke with the BBC.
#shiresowhite
Prior to Serkis’ comments, entertainment journalist Colin Patterson noted that “The Lord of the Rings” was produced during a time before “colorblind casting” had become standard in Hollywood, resulting in a nearly all-white cast. Concerned about a potential lack of diversity in the new film adaptations, Patterson pressed Serkis on the issue.
Serkis attributed much of the film’s casting decisions to the original works of author J.R.R. Tolkien, stating, “He himself was heavily influenced by Norse mythology, so there’s a lot of that feel to it.” It’s worth mentioning that Tolkien’s extensive writings detail the appearance and backgrounds of his characters.
“The Shire feels very, very white, like you know…” Serkis remarked, his thoughts trailing off. He then voiced his support for the LOTR team, elaborating on why some believe that adaptations like “The Hobbit” have overlooked modern concepts of diversity. “They’re not too worried about what’s happening outside the borders of the Shire, but they certainly don’t want outsiders coming in.”
Monster Mash
Serkis did acknowledge that there has been criticism regarding the casting choices but chose to steer the conversation in another direction. “This particular movie acknowledges that to some degree. But we’re not aiming to create a politically correct version based solely on diversity in casting,” he said. “It’s relevant only when it adds to the story.”
When “The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power” was released on Amazon, it faced backlash for featuring black actors as dwarves and elves. Additionally, the portrayal of Tolkien’s orcs was altered, giving them more depth and a yearning for a peaceful existence rather than solely presenting them as mindless warriors.
Poor Tradition
Will Witt, a reporter, explained that the changes made in 2022 were viewed as an attempt to distort Tolkien’s original themes of “the triumph of good over evil, Western values, and Christianity.” Witt argued that Tolkien’s detailed characterizations and timelines signify that casting choices deviated from the source material.
The BBC noted that director Peter Jackson’s 2001 film trilogy didn’t closely adhere to Tolkien’s descriptions, claiming the casting reflected the norms of the early 2000s. In this view, the film’s overwhelmingly white cast highlights the era of filmmaking more than it reflects Tolkien’s original vision.
