'The Lord Of The Rings' Director Peter Jackson Joins Colossal Mission To Resurrect New Zealand’s Lost Giant

The Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson is stepping into uncharted territory, but it is not Middle earth this time.

The Oscar-winning filmmaker has joined a groundbreaking project that aims to revive the South Island Giant Moa, an extinct bird native to New Zealand.

In an unprecedented collaboration with Māori leaders and cutting-edge scientists, Jackson is helping rewrite the future of wildlife conservation.

In a partnership that sounds like it belongs in one of his epic fantasy films, Jackson has teamed up with Colossal Biosciences and the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre to bring the massive, long-extinct moa back to life.

The South Island Giant Moa, which stood up to 12 feet tall, vanished hundreds of years ago.

However, if this new alliance succeeds, it might once again roam the wild landscapes of New Zealand.

Colossal Biosciences, the same company leading efforts to revive the dire wolf, is providing advanced genetic engineering and computational technologies to make this dream a reality.

But it’s not just science powering this effort; it is deeply rooted in culture.

“We are honored to contribute our advanced computational and genetic engineering capabilities under the direction of the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre,” Ben Lamm, CEO of Colossal Biosciences told The Blast. “This partnership represents a new model where Indigenous leadership guides scientific endeavors, recognizing that traditional ecological knowledge and cultural context are essential to responsible de-extinction and species preservation efforts. There is so much knowledge that will be unlocked and shared on the journey to bring back the iconic moa.”

For Jackson, the project is personal and powerful.

Known for showcasing the awe-inspiring natural beauty of New Zealand in "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit," Jackson is now helping protect and restore that very environment.

“I’m delighted to partner with the Ngāi Tahu Research Centre and Colossal Biosciences on a mission to save some of our most precious taonga,” Jackson said, using the Māori word for “treasures.”

He added, “With the recent resurrection of the dire wolf, Colossal has also made real the possibility of bringing back lost species. There’s a lot of science still to be done—but we can start looking forward to the day when birds like the moa... are rescued from the darkness of extinction. Exciting times lay ahead!”

The Ngāi Tahu Research Centre is leading the project with a vision that goes beyond revival.

Māori families will participate in every phase, from genetics to habitat planning, ensuring their ancestral wisdom plays a central role in each decision.

This is more than just a de-extinction experiment; it’s a cultural renaissance.

The Ngāi Tahu Research Centre envisions the project as a springboard for creating opportunities in ecotourism, education, and conservation, all while celebrating Māori sovereignty and knowledge.

Families from the Ngāi Tahu tribe will be involved in the scientific work while the surrounding communities prepare to welcome the moa back home.

From building research facilities to restoring habitats, it’s a full-circle initiative that puts Indigenous leadership at the core of futuristic science.

Imagine visiting New Zealand and seeing a South Island Giant Moa stroll across the landscape, guided not just by lab data but by centuries of environmental stewardship.

That’s the vision Jackson, Ngāi Tahu, and Colossal Biosciences are turning into reality, one gene at a time.

Peter Jackson may have been quiet on the film front, but the visionary director has now confirmed he is far from done with cinema.

In a recent interview with Screen Rant, Jackson shared an exciting update, revealing that he is currently developing three different screenplays.

“No, no. I’m certainly not retired,” Jackson said when asked about his future in filmmaking. “We are currently working on three different screenplays. I'm at the moment writing three different scripts.”

While he didn’t reveal specific details about these projects, Peter Jackson hinted at the return of one of "The Lord of the Rings"'s famous characters, Gollum, in "The Hunt for Gollum."

The film is a "Lord of the Rings" continuation that Andy Serkis, who portrayed the character in the movie, will direct.

Meanwhile, Jackson is involved in producing and writing the highly anticipated film.

Jackson also spoke fondly of his recent work on documentaries, particularly the Beatles’ "Get Back project."

“I’ve enjoyed doing various things with The Beatles, which is great, and that'll probably carry on,” he added.