Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have officially set a release date for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, planning to bring Sméagol's story to the big screen on December 17, 2027. This announcement marks a premiere date that's over two years away, and represents at least a one-year delay from the previously announced 2026 plan. Despite the wait, fantasy fans are already eagerly anticipating how they'll celebrate Christmas in 2027 with this new addition to the beloved franchise.
The film is being directed by Andy Serkis, known for his directorial work on Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Serkis is no stranger to the world of Middle-earth, having famously portrayed Gollum in both the original The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, as well as Caesar in the Planet of the Apes reboot series. Fans will be thrilled to know that Serkis will not only direct but also star in the film, bringing his deep understanding of Gollum's character to the forefront.
Joining Serkis behind the scenes are a team of Middle-earth veterans, including producers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner. The screenplay is being penned by Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou. Last year, Peter Jackson hinted at the film's direction, expressing a desire to delve into Gollum's backstory and explore elements of his journey that weren't fully covered in earlier films. "We really want to explore [Gollum’s] backstory and delve into those parts of his journey we didn’t have time to cover in the earlier films," Jackson stated, emphasizing a commitment to staying true to J.R.R. Tolkien's original vision.
As Warner Bros. expands its future plans for The Lord of the Rings films, The Hunt for Gollum may introduce other familiar faces from the franchise. Gandalf, portrayed by Ian McKellen in previous films, is one name expected to appear, with Philippa Boyens suggesting to Empire last October that he could feature in potentially two live-action films. If all goes as planned, fans can look forward to seeing McKellen reprise his iconic role.
The Lord of the Rings Movies in (Chronological) Order
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With The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum set to release three Decembers from now, fans have plenty of time to stay updated on other Middle-earth-related projects. Notably, Amazon Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has been confirmed to return for Season 3 earlier this year, ensuring that the magic of Tolkien's world continues to captivate audiences in the meantime.
