'Lord of the Rings' Fan Film 'Rises Again' After Studio Shares Title

When Warner Bros. revealed plans for a new Lord of the Rings movie titled “The Hunt for Gollum,” it unexpectedly put the spotlight back on a beloved 2009 fan film of the same name. Crafted on a shoestring budget by recent film grad Chris Bouchard, the original “Hunt for Gollum” had amassed over 13 million views before mysteriously vanishing from YouTube following the studio’s announcement.

However, after a swift backlash from loyal “Ringers” – the dedicated Tolkien fan base – YouTube quickly reversed course and reinstated Bouchard’s 39-minute labor of love. The bizarre saga has renewed interest in the ambitious indie production and its impressive legacy as an early pioneer of fan filmmaking.

“It was an ‘uh-oh’ moment for the fan base when it got taken down,” stated Michael Regina of prominent Tolkien site TheOneRing.net. “Chris was one of the pioneers generating the ‘sidequel’ – expanding the source material in new ways studios have only recently explored.”

Created over 9 months with a team of 30 core volunteers and 100 more artists/extras, “Hunt for Gollum” used sophisticated effects for 2009 to recreate an untold story set in the years after Bilbo Baggins’ party in Fellowship of the Ring. With a budget of just £3,000, the film impressively blended footage of Welsh ruins and forests with intricate costumes/makeup to explore Aragorn’s pursuit of the wretched creature Gollum.

“I’ve always had a deep love for Tolkien’s world-building,” explained Bouchard. “We wanted to play in that same universe in our own way.”

The film was a viral hit upon release, earning laurels on the festival circuit and academic analysis while helping tide over Ringers amid the lengthy wait for The Hobbit movies. Its warm fan reception and resourceful production made it a landmark for enterprising filmmakers bringing their creative visions to life.

After 15 years, Warner Bros.’ new project invoking that very title brought renewed attention – along with YouTube’s unfortunate content crackdown. However, Bouchard and his team remain unfazed about sharing the name with the big-budget studio counterpart.

“They probably won’t have quite as many budget restrictions,” he joked.

Instead, the director is energized about reconnecting with his collaborators after the outpouring of fan support. While the studio version likely means some overlapping plot beats, the fan favorite’s triumphant return ensures its pioneering, uniquely homespun take on Middle-earth lore will endure.

“We’re going to make a reunion happen this summer,” Bouchard said of his comrades, now scattered worldwide. “It brought back lots of lovely memories from that whole adventure.”