"The Hunt for Gollum Premieres December 2027"

Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have exciting news for fans of Middle-earth: The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is slated to hit the big screens on December 17, 2027. This eagerly awaited release date is set more than two years from now, marking at least a one-year delay from the previously announced 2026 plan. Nevertheless, this hasn't dampened the spirits of fantasy enthusiasts, who are already marking their calendars for a memorable Christmas in 2027.

Directing this cinematic journey into Sméagol's past is the acclaimed Andy Serkis, known for his directorial work on Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Serkis's connection to Gollum runs deep, having portrayed the character in both the original The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, as well as playing Caesar in the 2010 Planet of the Apes trilogy. Fans will be thrilled to learn that Serkis will be both directing and starring in the film, bringing his unparalleled understanding of Gollum's psyche to the forefront.

Joining Serkis are familiar faces from the Middle-earth cinematic universe. Producers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner are on board, with Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou contributing to the screenplay. Peter Jackson has teased that the film will delve into the unexplored pasts of beloved characters, focusing on stories that were not covered in the previous films. "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, emphasizing the team's commitment to following J.R.R. Tolkien's lead.

The Lord of the Rings Movies in (Chronological) Order

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As Warner Bros. forges ahead with future The Lord of the Rings films, The Hunt for Gollum is poised to reintroduce other cherished characters. Notably, Gandalf is expected to make an appearance, with Philippa Boyens hinting to Empire last October that the iconic wizard could feature in up to two live-action films. There's even speculation that the original Gandalf, Ian McKellen, might reprise his role if all goes according to plan.

While the wait for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum extends to three Decembers away, fans can stay engaged with the world of Middle-earth through Amazon Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, which has been confirmed for a third season earlier this year.