"The Lord of the Rings: 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 enchant audiences with Sméagol's tale on December 17, 2027. This eagerly awaited film will hit theaters over two years from now, marking at least a one-year delay from the previously announced 2026 plan. Yet, this hasn't dampened the spirits of fantasy enthusiasts, who are already planning their Christmas celebrations around the premiere.

The film is being helmed by Andy Serkis, renowned for directing Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Serkis is no stranger to the world of Middle-earth, having portrayed the iconic character Gollum in both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, as well as Caesar in the Planet of the Apes series. Fans will be thrilled to know that Serkis will not only direct but also reprise his role as Gollum, bringing his deep understanding of the character to the forefront.

Joining Serkis in the production are familiar faces from the Middle-earth saga: Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner as producers. The writing team includes Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou, ensuring a rich narrative rooted in J.R.R. Tolkien's universe. Last year, Jackson teased fans with insights into the film's direction, promising to delve into beloved characters' pasts and explore stories that were previously untold due to time constraints.

"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

View 7 Images

As Warner Bros. continues to expand the Middle-earth cinematic universe, The Hunt for Gollum is poised to introduce fans to more familiar faces. Gandalf, played by the legendary Ian McKellen, is expected to return and may appear in up to two live-action films, according to Philippa Boyens' comments to Empire last October.

With The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum slated for release in three Decembers, fans have plenty of time to immerse themselves in the world of Middle-earth. 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.