Andy Serkis
Andy Serkis is a British actor, director and motion-capture pioneer who revolutionised performance capture technology through his iconic portrayals of Gollum in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, King Kong, and Caesar in the Planet of the Apes trilogy.
Andy Serkis filmed 2 productions in Queenstown: The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, The Hobbit Trilogy. Andy Serkis is a British actor, director and motion-capture pioneer who revolutionised performance capture technology through his iconic portrayals of Gollum in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, King Kong, and Caesar in the Planet of the Apes trilogy.
About Serkis
British actor, 2 productions filmed in Queenstown.
Andy Serkis is a British actor, director and motion-capture pioneer who revolutionised performance capture technology through his iconic portrayals of Gollum in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, King Kong, and Caesar in the Planet of the Apes trilogy.
His work as Gollum fundamentally changed how actors interact with digital characters. He performed the role on location in New Zealand's forests, mountains and rivers - with his movements later used as the foundation for the CGI character that became one of cinema's most memorable creations.
Serkis has since become one of the world's foremost motion-capture directors, helming the Venom sequel and working extensively as a second-unit director on the Hobbit trilogy across New Zealand locations.
Actor portrait
Films Shot in Queenstown
Every production Serkis filmed in the Queenstown-Lakes region, with characters, roles, and behind‑the‑scenes stories.
“Serkis crawled through rivers and over rocks in the Queenstown backcountry to capture Gollum's physical movement for the animators. His performance was so committed that Peter Jackson called it 'the soul of the trilogy.' Locals recall seeing a man crawling on all fours in the shallows of a river near Glenorchy.”
Behind the Camera
Queenstown Stories
Trivia, anecdotes, and inside stories from Serkis's time filming in Queenstown.
Did Andy Serkis really crawl through Queenstown rivers for the Gollum role?
Yes - Serkis performed Gollum's physical movements on location in New Zealand's South Island. He crawled through rivers, over rocks and through forests around Queenstown and Glenorchy wearing a white motion-capture suit. His physical performance provided the foundation for the CGI character, and Peter Jackson has said Serkis's commitment fundamentally elevated the role.
What did Andy Serkis direct during The Hobbit in Queenstown?
Serkis served as second-unit director on The Hobbit trilogy, shooting landscape, action and establishing sequences across Queenstown, Glenorchy, Paradise and Fiordland. He brought his deep knowledge of New Zealand's geography - gained from years as Gollum - to the director's chair.
Make It Real
Walk in Serkis's Footsteps
Book a tour to the actual filming locations. Experience the landscapes that inspired the performances.
NZD $307Lord of the Rings 4WD Tour
Explore the exact Middle‑earth locations, Glenorchy, Paradise, and the Dart Valley.
NZD $189Glenorchy & Paradise Scenic Tour
Visit the backdrops behind the most iconic performances. Spectacular half-day trip.
NZD $1,518Milford Helicopter Flight & Cruise
The aerial perspective that filmmakers love. Helicopter to Milford Sound with glacier landing.
Common Questions
Everything fans ask about Serkis's time filming in Queenstown.
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Continue Exploring Queenstown
From the cast to the locations, every layer of Queenstown on screen.
ExploreAll Film Productions
Eight productions, dozens of locations, one landscape. Explore every film shot in Queenstown.
LocationsFilm Location Guide
GPS‑tagged film locations with access guides. Find every spot, from Glenorchy to Milford Sound.
Book NowQueenstown Tours
Guided tours, helicopter flights, and 4WD adventures that take you to the locations from the screen.