"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 story to captivate moviegoers on December 17, 2027. This eagerly awaited film marks a significant delay from the previously announced 2026 plan, now pushing the premiere over two years from the current date. Despite the wait, fantasy fans are already looking forward to spending Christmas 2027 immersed in Middle-earth.

The film is being directed by Andy Serkis, renowned for his work on Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Serkis, celebrated for his performances as Caesar in the Planet of the Apes trilogy and, most famously, as Gollum in both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, will not only direct but also star in The Hunt for Gollum. This dual role should excite fans who appreciate his deep understanding of the character.

Serkis will be joined by a team of Middle-earth veterans, including producers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner. The screenplay is being crafted by Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou. Peter Jackson has hinted at the film's focus, promising to delve into beloved characters' pasts and explore aspects of Gollum's journey that were not covered 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. He emphasized the intention to follow the lead of original author J.R.R. Tolkien in shaping the narrative.

The Lord of the Rings Movies in (Chronological) Order

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As Warner Bros. continues to expand the cinematic universe of The Lord of the Rings, The Hunt for Gollum is poised to introduce fans to more familiar faces from Middle-earth. Among the characters expected to return, Gandalf is one name anticipated to appear. Philippa Boyens revealed to Empire last October that the iconic wizard could feature in potentially two live-action films, with the possibility of being portrayed once again by the original actor, Ian McKellen.

With The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum slated for release in three Decembers, fans have plenty of time to prepare for this new adventure. In the meantime, keep up with the latest developments 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.