Mon Sep 09 14:42:43 UTC 2024: ## “AI for Legolas? Fans Upset Over Potential Use in Gollum Prequel”

**Toronto, Canada:** Amidst the ongoing buzz surrounding the upcoming “Lord of the Rings” projects, a recent revelation has sparked controversy among fans: the potential use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the Gollum-centric prequel directed by Andy Serkis.

The news came from actor Orlando Bloom, who played Legolas in the original trilogy and “The Hobbit” films. While promoting his new film at the Toronto International Film Festival, Bloom revealed that Serkis had mentioned using AI to bring back Legolas for the new movie. This casual remark, however, triggered widespread backlash from fans, concerned about the implications of AI in the beloved fantasy world.

Many fans expressed concerns about the ethical and creative implications of using AI to recreate characters, particularly for a beloved franchise like “Lord of the Rings”. The recent actors and writers’ strikes, fueled by anxieties around AI replacing human talent, have heightened these concerns.

However, it’s worth noting that Serkis’ statement might have been a casual remark, and the potential use of AI in the film remains unconfirmed. The “Lord of the Rings” franchise has a long history of utilizing groundbreaking visual effects, and traditional methods for de-aging or creating characters have proven successful in the past.

Ultimately, the future of AI in “The Hunt for Gollum” remains uncertain. Fans will be watching closely for any further developments and updates regarding the project.

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