It’s been a while since Andy Serkis last ventured to Middle-earth – but amid the Coronavirus pandemic, he’s heading back to J.R.R Tolkien’s fantasy world in the name of charity. Taking a break from post-production on sequel Venom: Let There Be Carnage, which is due next summer, he’s going to be doing a full, unabridged reading of The Hobbit all in the name of charity. The narration will begin at 10am on Friday 8 May, with Serkis reading Tolkien’s novel from front to back. He’s raising money via a GoFundMe page, where listeners will be able to find a link to the live stream once it begins.
Serkis is aiming to raise £100,000, which will be donated to NHS Charities Together, and Best Beginnings. At time of writing, he’s already reached nearly £30,000 – several hours prior to the stream beginning. “So many of us are struggling in isolation during the lockdown,” he writes. “While times are tough, I want to take you on one of the greatest fantasy adventures ever written, a 12 hour armchair marathon across Middle Earth whilst raising money for two amazing charities which are doing extraordinary work right now to help those most in need in the UK: Best Beginnings and NHS Charities Together.
“From an unexpected party to the last stage, join Bilbo and me on this tale of high adventure. Together we’ll face the might of the trolls, journey to the magical Rivendell, encounter the giant spiders in the labyrinths of Mirkwood, and the evil goblins living among the roots of the Misty Mountains, until we meet the dragon Smaug, and see the Battle of the Five Armies.” It should be a real treat for fans of Tolkien’s work – and you can be sure the Gollum-centric ‘Riddles In The Dark’ chapter will be one to savour.