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 story to audiences on December 17, 2027. This date is over two years away, marking a delay of at least one year from the previously announced 2026 plan. Despite the wait, fans of the fantasy genre are already dreaming up how they'll celebrate Christmas in 2027 with this new cinematic adventure.
The film is being helmed by Andy Serkis, renowned for directing Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Serkis, who is iconic for his portrayals of Caesar in the Planet of the Apes trilogy and Gollum in both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, will be involved both as the director and actor. This dual role is sure to excite fans who appreciate his deep understanding of Gollum's character.
Serkis will not be alone in this venture. He's joined by a powerhouse team of producers including Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner. The script is being crafted by Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou, promising a rich narrative. Peter Jackson has teased that the film will explore the pasts of beloved characters, delving into aspects of Gollum’s journey that were previously untold. "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, hinting at new stories inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien's works.
The Lord of the Rings Movies in (Chronological) Order
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As Warner Bros. continues to expand the universe of The Lord of the Rings, The Hunt for Gollum is expected to feature other familiar faces from Middle-earth. Gandalf, portrayed by Ian McKellen in previous films, is rumored to make an appearance, possibly in two upcoming live-action projects according to Philippa Boyens in an interview with Empire last October.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is slated to hit theaters three Decembers from now. While we wait, fans can stay engaged with the latest news on Amazon Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, which has been confirmed for a third season.
