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 eagerly anticipated release is over two years away, marking at least a one-year delay from the previously announced 2026 plan. Nonetheless, fans of the fantasy genre are already marking their calendars and planning their Christmas celebrations for 2027 around this event.
The film is being helmed by Andy Serkis, known 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 Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, as well as Caesar in the Planet of the Apes trilogy. Fans will be thrilled to know that Serkis will be both directing and acting in this new installment, bringing his deep understanding of Gollum to the forefront.
Serkis will not be working alone, as he is joined by a team of Middle-earth veterans. Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner are all on board as producers, while Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou are set to pen the screenplay. This collaboration promises to deliver a film that respects the lore and spirit of J.R.R. Tolkien's world.
Last year, Peter Jackson provided some insight into the story of The Hunt for Gollum. He shared that the film will delve into unexplored aspects of Gollum's past, offering fans a deeper look into his journey. "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, emphasizing their intent to honor Tolkien's original works.
The Lord of the Rings Movies in (Chronological) Order
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As Warner Bros. continues to expand the cinematic universe of The Lord of the Rings, The Hunt for Gollum is expected to feature other beloved characters. Gandalf, in particular, is one name expected to appear, with Philippa Boyens hinting last October to Empire that he could be featured in up to two live-action films. There's even speculation that the legendary wizard might be portrayed once again by the original actor, Ian McKellen.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is slated for release in December 2027. While fans await this new chapter, they can stay updated with the ongoing developments of Amazon Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, which has been confirmed for a third season.
