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 captivating story to audiences on December 17, 2027. This announcement marks a premiere date that's over two years away, and a delay of at least one year from the previously announced 2026 plan. Yet, this hasn't dampened the enthusiasm of fantasy fans, who are already planning their Christmas celebrations for 2027 around this eagerly awaited film.
The director at the helm of The Hunt for Gollum is none other than Andy Serkis, known for his directorial work on Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Serkis is also celebrated for his iconic acting roles, particularly as Caesar in the 2010 Planet of the Apes trilogy and as Gollum in both the original The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Fans will be thrilled to know that Serkis will be contributing to the film both as a director and an actor.
A master of motion-capture technology, Serkis brings a deep understanding of Gollum's character to the project. He will be joined 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, ensuring a rich and authentic continuation of the saga.
Peter Jackson has provided some insights into the film's plot, promising to delve into the pasts of beloved characters. He shared last year that the goal is to explore stories that were not covered in the 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. ventures further into the future of The Lord of the Rings franchise, The Hunt for Gollum and possibly other films are expected to feature other returning characters. Gandalf, in particular, is one name expected to appear, with Philippa Boyens hinting to Empire last October that he might show up in up to two live-action films. If all goes well, fans might see the iconic wizard portrayed once again by the original actor, Ian McKellen.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is scheduled to hit theaters three Decembers from now. While fans eagerly await its release, they can stay updated on other Middle-earth adventures, such as Amazon Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, which was confirmed to return for Season 3 earlier this year.
