"The Hunt for Gollum Premieres December 2027"

Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have officially set a release date for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, aiming to captivate audiences with Sméagol’s story on December 17, 2027. This places the premiere over two years away, marking at least a one-year delay from the previously announced 2026 plan. Despite the wait, fantasy enthusiasts are already marking their calendars to celebrate Christmas 2027 with this eagerly anticipated film.

The project is under the direction of Andy Serkis, renowned for his work on Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Serkis is not only stepping behind the camera but also returning to his iconic role as Gollum, a character he brought to life in both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Fans will be thrilled to know that Serkis will be leveraging his deep understanding of Gollum's psyche, enriched by his experience in motion capture technology.

Joining Serkis in this venture are other Middle-earth luminaries, including producers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner. The writing team comprises Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou, promising a rich narrative experience. Last year, Peter Jackson hinted at the film's direction, suggesting that beloved characters' pasts will be explored. The focus will be on Gollum's backstory and aspects of his journey that were previously untouched, drawing directly from J.R.R. Tolkien's works.

As Warner Bros. expands its journey into the realm of Middle-earth with The Hunt for Gollum and potentially other films, fans can anticipate the return of familiar faces. Notably, Gandalf is expected to appear, with Philippa Boyens mentioning to Empire last October the possibility of the wizard featuring in up to two live-action films. If plans proceed smoothly, the role of Gandalf may be reprised by the original actor, Ian McKellen.

The Lord of the Rings Movies in (Chronological) Order

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With the release of The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum still three Decembers away, fans have plenty of time to immerse themselves in other Middle-earth adventures. In the meantime, keep an eye on Amazon Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, which has been confirmed for a third season earlier this year.