"The Hunt for Gollum Premieres December 2027"

Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have exciting news for fans of Middle-earth: they've set a release date for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, aiming to bring Sméagol's tale to the big screen on December 17, 2027. This marks a significant event on the cinematic calendar, set over two years from now, and reflects a delay of at least one year from the previously announced 2026 target. Yet, this hasn't dampened the spirits of fantasy enthusiasts, who are already planning their festive season around this epic release.

Helming this journey into Gollum's past is the acclaimed director Andy Serkis, known for his work on Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Serkis, who has previously brought Gollum to life in both the original The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, as well as Caesar in the Planet of the Apes series, will now direct and star in this new venture. Fans can rejoice in knowing that Serkis's deep understanding of Gollum's psyche will enrich the film's narrative.

Serkis won't be alone in this venture; he's joined by a team of Middle-earth veterans. Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner are on board as producers, ensuring the film stays true to the spirit of J.R.R. Tolkien's world. The writing team includes Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou, promising a script that delves into unexplored territories of the beloved saga.

Last year, Jackson provided some tantalizing hints about the film's direction, emphasizing a focus on characters' pasts that weren't fully explored in previous films. He expressed a desire to delve deeper into Gollum's backstory, drawing inspiration directly from Tolkien's writings. "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. "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. forges ahead with its ambitious plans for the future of The Lord of the Rings franchise, The Hunt for Gollum could pave the way for other films featuring returning characters. Gandalf is among those expected to reappear, with Boyens hinting last October to Empire that the wizard might feature in two upcoming live-action projects. Should plans come to fruition, fans might see Ian McKellen reprise his iconic role as the wise wizard.

With The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum slated for a December 2027 release, fans have a long 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 for a thrilling third season.