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 tale to the big screen on December 17, 2027. This announcement places the premiere over two years away and marks a delay of at least one year from the previously announced 2026 plan. Yet, this hasn't dampened the spirits of fantasy enthusiasts, who are already dreaming up ways to celebrate Christmas in 2027 with this cinematic treat.
The film will be helmed by Andy Serkis, renowned for directing Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Serkis is also celebrated for his acting prowess, notably as Caesar in the 2010 Planet of the Apes trilogy and, most famously, as Gollum in both the original The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Fans can rejoice knowing that Serkis will contribute to the film both as director and actor.
Serkis, a master of motion capture, brings an intimate understanding of Gollum to the project. He'll be supported by a team of Middle-earth veterans, including producers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner. The writing team comprises Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou.
Peter Jackson has teased some story details, hinting that beloved characters' pasts will be explored. He shared last year that the film aims to delve into aspects of Gollum's journey not covered in previous 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 explained. "It's too soon to know who will cross his path, but suffice to say we will take our lead from [original author J.R.R. Tolkien]."
The Lord of the Rings Movies in (Chronological) Order
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As Warner Bros. continues to expand the The Lord of the Rings cinematic universe, The Hunt for Gollum and possibly other films are expected to feature returning characters. Gandalf is one name expected to appear, with Philippa Boyens mentioning to Empire last October that he might appear in two live-action films. If all goes well, the iconic wizard may even be portrayed by the original actor, Ian McKellen.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is slated to hit theaters in three Decembers. While fans eagerly await its release, they can stay updated on Amazon Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, which was confirmed to return for Season 3 earlier this year.
