“I could have directed it, but I thought, I’ve done that,” said Peter Jackson today at his Cannes Film Festival Rendez-Vous about why he’s sitting out as director on Lord of the Rings: Hunt for Gollum.

“It would be more interesting with this particular story –which takes place between Hobbit and Lord of the Rings — if Andy Serkis directed it,” said the 3x Oscar winner who picked up an honorary Palme d’Or last night.

Then teasing the new film, Jackson said, “It’s an internal story about Gollum’s psychology and addiction. It’s a personal story to Gollum. Andy knows this guy better than anybody. I didn’t think about me. The more exiting version of this movie is if Any Serkis made it.”

“I’m leaving it to him. I’m here to help where I can. But I don’t interfere. I’ve given him as much freedom as I can,” said Jackson who is a producer on the new New Line project which hits theaters on Dec. 17, 2027.

Jackson also said he’s writing a new Tintin. “I’ve been working with Fran on a new Tintin script.” He in fact, Jackson was literally working on the script while here at Cannes.

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