"The Hunt for Gollum Premieres December 2027"

Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have officially set a release date for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, aiming to bring Sméagol’s tale to audiences on December 17, 2027. This announcement places the premiere over two years away, marking at least a one-year delay from the previously announced 2026 plan. Despite the wait, fantasy enthusiasts are already looking forward to how they'll celebrate Christmas in 2027.

The film 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 Middle-earth universe, having 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 trilogy. Fans will be delighted to know that Serkis will not only direct but also reprise his iconic role on screen.

Serkis, a master of motion-capture technology, will 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, promising a rich narrative.

Peter Jackson has hinted at what fans can anticipate from the storyline. The film will delve into the unexplored pasts of beloved characters, aiming to cover aspects of Gollum’s journey that were left untold 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 stated. He also emphasized their commitment to following the original works of 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 universe, The Hunt for Gollum may feature other familiar faces. Gandalf, played by the legendary Ian McKellen, is one name expected to appear, with Philippa Boyens suggesting to Empire that the wizard could feature in up to two live-action films.

With The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum slated for release in three Decembers, fans have plenty of time to prepare. In the meantime, keep an eye on updates for 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.