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

Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have set an exciting release date for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, slated to hit theaters on December 17, 2027. This announcement positions the film over two years away from now and reflects a delay of at least one year from the previously announced 2026 plan. Despite the wait, anticipation among fantasy fans is already building, with many likely dreaming of how they'll celebrate Christmas in 2027 with this cinematic treat.

The directorial helm for The Hunt for Gollum is in the capable hands of Andy Serkis, known for directing Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Serkis is no stranger to Middle-earth, having 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. Fans will be thrilled to know that Serkis will be involved both as director and actor in this new venture.

Serkis’s deep understanding of Gollum's character will be further enriched by the collaboration with Middle-earth veterans like Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner as producers. The screenplay is being crafted by Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou, promising a rich narrative.

Peter Jackson has previously hinted at the storyline, suggesting that The Hunt for Gollum will delve into previously unexplored aspects of Gollum’s past. “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 shared. The aim is to flesh out stories that were left untold in the original films, taking cues directly from 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 Middle-earth universe, The Hunt for Gollum may introduce other familiar faces. Gandalf, portrayed by Ian McKellen, is one name expected to appear, with Philippa Boyens hinting at his potential involvement in not just one but possibly two upcoming live-action films. If plans proceed smoothly, fans could see McKellen reprising his iconic role.

With The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum now scheduled for December 2027, fans have a considerable wait ahead. In the meantime, keep an eye on the latest 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.