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

Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have officially announced the release date for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, setting the stage for Sméagol's tale to hit theaters on December 17, 2027. This announcement places the film's premiere over two years away, marking at least a one-year delay from the previously announced 2026 plan. Despite the wait, fans are already eagerly anticipating how they will celebrate Christmas in 2027 with this new addition to the beloved franchise.

The film is being directed by Andy Serkis, known for his work on Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Serkis, celebrated for his iconic portrayal of Gollum in both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, as well as Caesar in the 2010 Planet of the Apes trilogy, will bring his deep understanding of the character to the director's chair and reprise his role as Gollum on screen. Fans should be thrilled to see Serkis involved in both capacities.

Joining Serkis are other Middle-earth veterans, including producers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner. The writing team comprises Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou. Last year, Peter Jackson provided some insights into the film's direction, teasing that audiences can expect to see beloved characters’ pasts explored. He emphasized the intent to delve into aspects of Gollum’s journey that were previously left 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 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

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As Warner Bros. continues to expand the The Lord of the Rings universe, The Hunt for Gollum is poised to introduce additional narratives and possibly feature other familiar characters. Gandalf, for instance, is one name expected to appear, with Philippa Boyens hinting to Empire last October that he might appear in potentially two live-action films. If plans proceed smoothly, the legendary wizard may even be portrayed by the original actor, Ian McKellen.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is slated for release in three Decembers from now. As fans await its arrival, they 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.