"The Hunt for Gollum Premieres December 2027"

Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have unveiled the release date for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, setting the stage for Sméagol’s tale to captivate audiences on December 17, 2027. This announcement places the premiere over two years away, marking a delay of at least a year from the previously announced 2026 plan. Yet, this hasn't dampened the spirits of fantasy aficionados, who are already planning their Christmas festivities around the film's release.

At the helm of this project is Andy Serkis, renowned for directing Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Serkis is no stranger to the world of Middle-earth, having brought Gollum to life in both the original The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Fans will be thrilled to know that Serkis will not only direct but also reprise his iconic role in front of the camera.

Serkis's intimate understanding of Gollum, honed through his motion-capture mastery, will be complemented by a team of Middle-earth veterans. Producers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner are on board, with Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou crafting the screenplay.

Last year, Peter Jackson provided a glimpse into the narrative, promising to delve into the pasts of beloved characters. "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 emphasized the intention to draw inspiration from J.R.R. Tolkien's original works, teasing that familiar faces might intersect with Gollum's path.

The Lord of the Rings Movies in (Chronological) Order

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As Warner Bros. charts its course through the future of The Lord of the Rings franchise, The Hunt for Gollum may not be the only film to feature returning characters. Gandalf is one name expected to appear, with Philippa Boyens hinting to Empire last October that the wizard could feature in potentially two live-action films. If all goes well, the legendary character might be brought to life once again by the original actor, Ian McKellen.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is slated to hit theaters in December 2027. While waiting for its release, fans can stay updated 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.