"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, scheduling the film to hit theaters on December 17, 2027. This eagerly anticipated release is now over two years away and marks a delay of at least a year 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 director Andy Serkis, renowned for his work on Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Serkis is no stranger to the world of Middle-earth, having brought the character of Gollum to life in both the original The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, as well as portraying Caesar in the 2010 Planet of the Apes trilogy. Fans will be thrilled to know that Serkis will be both directing and starring in this new installment.

With his deep understanding of Gollum, Serkis is 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, ensuring a rich narrative that honors the lore established by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Peter Jackson has hinted at what fans can expect from the film, emphasizing the exploration of beloved characters’ pasts. He expressed a desire to delve into aspects of Gollum’s journey that were not covered in the earlier 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 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. continues its journey with future The Lord of the Rings films, The Hunt for Gollum is poised to introduce other beloved characters. Notably, 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 films. There's even speculation that the legendary character might be reprised by original actor Ian McKellen, adding further excitement to the project.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is scheduled to release in three Decembers. While the wait may seem long, fans can stay updated with the latest developments on Amazon Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, which has been confirmed for a third season.