Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have officially announced that The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum will hit theaters on December 17, 2027. This eagerly anticipated film, which delves into Sméagol’s intriguing backstory, is set to premiere over two years from now. While it marks a delay from the previously announced 2026 plan, fans are already marking their calendars for what promises to be a memorable Christmas in 2027.
The film is being directed by Andy Serkis, renowned for his directorial 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 the iconic character Gollum in both the original The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, as well as Caesar in the Planet of the Apes reboot series. Fans will be thrilled to know that Serkis will not only direct but also reprise his role as Gollum, bringing his deep understanding of the character to the forefront.
Joining Serkis in this cinematic endeavor are some familiar faces from the Middle-earth universe. Producers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner are on board, along with writers Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou. Their collective expertise promises to enrich the narrative, which aims to explore the beloved characters’ pasts that were not fully covered in previous films.
Peter Jackson has shared insights into the story, expressing a desire to delve deeper into Gollum’s 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 stated. He hinted at potential encounters with other characters, drawing inspiration from J.R.R. Tolkien’s original works.
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 not be the only film to feature returning characters. Gandalf, portrayed by the legendary Ian McKellen, is expected to make an appearance, potentially in two live-action films, according to Philippa Boyens in an interview with Empire last October.
With the release of The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum still three Decembers away, fans have plenty of time to stay updated on other Middle-earth adventures. Don't miss the latest developments on 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.
