The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum — What to Collect Before the Film

For an entire generation, the Lord of the Rings film trilogy is cinema's greatest achievement. Peter Jackson's return to Middle-earth with The Hunt for Gollum — set between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring — is the most significant fantasy film event in two decades. For collectors, this is a once-in-a-generation buying opportunity.

About The Hunt for Gollum

Confirmed details: Peter Jackson directs, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens write. Andy Serkis reprises Gollum — the defining motion-capture performance in cinema history — and also serves as a producer. The film focuses on Aragorn and Gandalf's pursuit of Gollum across Middle-earth in the decades between the finding of the Ring and Frodo's departure from the Shire. The story draws on Tolkien's appendices to The Return of the King — events explicitly referenced in the books but never filmed.

Why This Changes the Collecting Market

LOTR collectibles have maintained extraordinary value since the original trilogy — original Sideshow and WETA pieces command premiums of 300–600% over their original retail prices. The Hunt for Gollum creates several simultaneous opportunities:

• Original trilogy figures will be re-evaluated by a new generation — current prices may be as low as they'll ever be
• New film figures will arrive; first-edition pre-orders at standard retail are historically the entry point for the most appreciating pieces
• WETA Workshop, who created the original film props and now produces civilian collectibles, will inevitably produce a Gollum statue of extraordinary quality

The Best LOTR Figures to Own Now

• WETA Workshop Gollum (extended pose): sculpted by the original film's prop creators. The texture detail on Sméagol's skin is unlike anything else in the market. Gollum is the central character of the new film; demand will rise dramatically post-release
• Sideshow Premium Format Aragorn: the 1/4 scale Strider version, travel-worn cloak — arguably the finest Aragorn piece ever produced
• Asmus Toys 1/6 scale LOTR figures: the most detailed 1/6 offerings for the Fellowship characters. The Fellowship Set covers all nine members at consistent scale for the definitive display
• S.H. Figuarts Gandalf the Grey: exceptional Ian McKellen likeness, staff accessory — more affordable than the premium tier but outstanding quality
• Diamond Select Gollum: the most accessible high-quality Gollum figure — hunched pose, detailed rock base, excellent paint on the emaciated form

Middle-Earth Dioramas: Scenes Worth Building

• The Misty Mountains: grey-blue rock terrain, sparse vegetation, the sense of impossible altitude. XPS foam carved and painted in cold tones
• The Gladden Fields: where Gollum hunts and where the Ring was found — shallow murky water, bog grass, hanging mist effects with stretched cotton wool
• Weathertop (Amon Sûl): ancient broken stone, the ring of collapsed walls — iconic and technically achievable at small scale