"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, planning to captivate audiences with Sméagol’s story on December 17, 2027. This announcement places the premiere over two years away, marking a significant delay from the previously announced 2026 plan. Nevertheless, this news has likely sparked excitement among fantasy enthusiasts, who are already planning their Christmas celebrations for 2027 around this cinematic event.

The film is being helmed by Andy Serkis, acclaimed 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 Gollum in both the original The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, as well as Caesar in the Planet of the Apes trilogy. Fans will be thrilled to know that Serkis will not only direct but also reprise his iconic role as Gollum, bringing his deep understanding of the character to the forefront.

Joining Serkis in this venture are seasoned 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, ensuring a rich and detailed narrative. Last year, Jackson teased the film's focus, revealing that it aims to explore beloved characters’ pasts and delve into aspects of Gollum's journey that were previously untold. "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 hinted at the inclusion of characters from J.R.R. Tolkien's works, keeping fans intrigued about who might appear.

As the franchise progresses, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum and potential future films are expected to feature other familiar characters. Gandalf, portrayed by the legendary Ian McKellen, is one name expected to appear, according to Philippa Boyens' interview with Empire last October. If plans come to fruition, McKellen might reprise his role as the iconic wizard in not just one, but possibly two live-action films.

The Lord of the Rings Movies in (Chronological) Order

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With The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum slated for release three Decembers from now, fans have a while to wait before seeing it on the big screen. In the interim, keep an eye on updates for 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.