"The Lord of the Rings: Gollum Hunt Premieres December 2027"

Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have set a release date for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, aiming to bring Sméagol’s tale to the big screen on December 17, 2027. This premiere is scheduled more than two years from now, marking at least a one-year delay from the previously announced 2026 plan. However, this news hasn't dampened the spirits of fantasy fans, who are already planning their Christmas celebrations for 2027 around this event.

The film is being directed by Andy Serkis, renowned for his work on Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Serkis is no stranger to the world of Middle-earth, having 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 is not only directing but also reprising his iconic role as Gollum.

With his deep understanding of Gollum's character, Serkis will be joined by a team of Middle-earth veterans, including producers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner. The screenplay is being crafted by Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou. Last year, Jackson provided some insight into the film's direction, hinting that audiences can expect to see beloved characters’ pasts explored. He emphasized the intent to delve into Gollum's backstory and cover aspects of his journey that were not addressed in the 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. “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 universe, The Hunt for Gollum and potentially other films are expected to likely feature other returning characters. Gandalf is one name expected to appear, with Boyens hinting to Empire last October that he might feature in up to two live-action films. If all goes well, the legendary wizard may even be portrayed by the original actor, Ian McKellen.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is slated for release in three Decembers. While fans eagerly await its arrival, 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.