"The Hunt for Gollum Premieres December 2027"

Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have officially set the release date for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, marking December 17, 2027, as the day fans will delve deeper into Sméagol’s intriguing tale. This announcement positions the film's premiere over two years away, reflecting at least a year's delay from the previously announced 2026 plan. Nonetheless, this hasn't dampened the excitement among fantasy enthusiasts, many of whom are already planning how to celebrate Christmas in 2027 with this cinematic treat.

The film is being helmed by Andy Serkis, renowned for directing Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Serkis, who brought the iconic character Gollum to life in both the original The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, as well as Caesar in the 2010 Planet of the Apes series, will also step in front of the camera for this project. This dual role promises an authentic and deeply personal take on Gollum's story, much to the delight of fans.

Joining Serkis are esteemed Middle-earth veterans as producers: Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner. The screenplay is being crafted by Walsh, Boyens, alongside Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou, ensuring a narrative that resonates with the beloved universe's rich lore.

Last year, Peter Jackson provided some insight into the plot, indicating that The Hunt for Gollum will explore the pasts of cherished characters. He emphasized a desire to delve into aspects of Gollum’s journey that were previously untold, drawing inspiration directly from J.R.R. Tolkien’s original works. "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

View 7 Images

As Warner Bros. charts its course through the expansive world of Middle-earth, The Hunt for Gollum is set to introduce returning characters, with Gandalf being a notable figure expected to appear. Philippa Boyens hinted last October to Empire that the wizard might feature in not one, but potentially two live-action films, with hopes that the original actor, Ian McKellen, will reprise his iconic role.

With The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum slated for release in three Decembers, fans have plenty of time to speculate and anticipate. In the interim, keep an eye on the latest developments surrounding Amazon Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, which has been confirmed for a third season earlier this year.