Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have unveiled the release date for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, slated to enchant audiences on December 17, 2027. This marks a significant two-year wait from the current date and reflects a delay from the previously announced 2026 plan. Despite the delay, fans of the fantasy genre are likely already planning their festive celebrations for Christmas 2027.
The film is helmed by Andy Serkis, renowned for directing Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Serkis is also celebrated for his acting prowess, having portrayed Caesar in the 2010 Planet of the Apes trilogy and the iconic Gollum in both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Fans will be delighted to know that Serkis will be contributing both behind and in front of the camera.
Serkis, a master of motion capture, brings a deep understanding of Gollum's complexities to the project. He will be supported by a team of 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 narrative direction of the film. Viewers can expect to delve into the pasts of beloved characters, as Jackson aims to explore stories that were left untold in 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 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. forges ahead with its ambitious plans for future The Lord of the Rings films, The Hunt for Gollum may introduce other familiar faces. Gandalf is expected to make an appearance, with Philippa Boyens hinting to Empire last October that the wizard could feature in up to two live-action projects. If plans proceed smoothly, 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 set to premiere three Decembers away. As the wait continues, fans can stay engaged by following the latest developments on Amazon Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, which was confirmed to return for Season 3 earlier this year.
