Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have set an exciting date for fans of Middle-earth: The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is slated to hit theaters on December 17, 2027. This announcement means moviegoers will have to wait over two years to dive back into the rich world of J.R.R. Tolkien, marking at least a one-year delay from the previously announced 2026 plan. Despite the wait, fantasy enthusiasts are already marking their calendars for what promises to be a memorable Christmas in 2027.
The film is in the capable hands of director Andy Serkis, known for his work on Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Serkis, who 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, will bring his deep understanding of the character to the director's chair. Fans will be thrilled to know that Serkis will also reprise his iconic role as Gollum, ensuring an authentic portrayal.
Serkis's expertise in motion-capture technology will undoubtedly enhance the storytelling. He's joined by a team of seasoned producers including Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner. The screenplay is being crafted by Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou, promising a narrative rich with the lore and depth fans expect from Middle-earth.
Last year, Peter Jackson provided some insight into what fans can anticipate from the film. The Hunt for Gollum aims to explore the backstories of beloved characters, delving into aspects of their journeys that were previously untold. Jackson shared, "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. 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 cinematic universe of The Lord of the Rings, The Hunt for Gollum is expected to feature other familiar faces from Middle-earth. Gandalf, in particular, is one name expected to appear, with Philippa Boyens hinting last October in Empire that the wizard might grace not just one, but potentially two new live-action films. If all goes well, the legendary role could be reprised by the original actor, Ian McKellen, bringing even more excitement to the project.
With The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum still three Decembers away, fans have plenty of time to revisit the world of Tolkien. In the meantime, keep an eye on developments with 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.
