Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have unveiled the release date for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, planning to captivate audiences with Sméagol’s story on December 17, 2027. This announcement positions the premiere more than two years ahead, marking a significant delay from the previously announced 2026 plan. Despite the wait, fantasy enthusiasts are already envisioning their Christmas plans for 2027 around this cinematic event.
The Hunt for Gollum is being helmed by Andy Serkis, renowned for directing 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 2010 Planet of the Apes trilogy. Fans will be thrilled to know that Serkis will contribute both as director and actor in this latest installment.
With his deep understanding of Gollum’s psyche, Serkis will be joined by a team of Middle-earth veterans including producers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner. The screenplay will be crafted by Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou, ensuring a rich narrative tapestry.
Peter Jackson has teased fans with insights into the storyline, hinting that beloved characters’ pasts will be explored. He expressed a desire to delve into aspects of Gollum’s journey that were previously untouched, aiming to fill in gaps left by 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. He emphasized the intent to stay true to J.R.R. Tolkien’s original works.
The Lord of the Rings Movies in (Chronological) Order
View 7 Images
As Warner Bros. continues to expand the universe of The Lord of the Rings, The Hunt for Gollum and potential future films are expected to feature other familiar characters. Gandalf is one name expected to appear, with Philippa Boyens suggesting to Empire last October that he might feature in up to two live-action films. There's excitement around the possibility of the iconic wizard being played once again 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 arrival, they can stay updated on other Middle-earth adventures through Amazon Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, which has been confirmed to return for Season 3 earlier this year.
