"Lord of the Rings: Gollum Hunt Premieres December 2027"

Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have officially announced that The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum will hit theaters on December 17, 2027. This sets the stage for an eagerly anticipated premiere that's now slated more than two years from now, marking a delay of at least a year from the initially planned 2026 release. Despite the wait, fans are already buzzing about how they'll celebrate the festive season in 2027 with this cinematic treat.

The film is being helmed by Andy Serkis, renowned for his directorial work on Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Serkis, who has captivated audiences with his performances as Caesar in the Planet of the Apes trilogy and as the iconic Gollum in both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, will not only direct but also reprise his role as Gollum. This dual involvement promises a deeply authentic portrayal of the character's journey.

Serkis's intimate understanding of Gollum will be complemented by a team of Middle-earth veterans. The production team includes Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner, with Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou contributing to the screenplay. Last year, Jackson hinted at the film's direction, emphasizing a deep dive into Gollum's past and exploring narratives that were previously untouched 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

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As Warner Bros. continues to expand the The Lord of the Rings universe, The Hunt for Gollum and potentially other films are expected to bring back familiar faces. Gandalf, for instance, is rumored to make an appearance, with Philippa Boyens suggesting to Empire last October that the wizard might feature in up to two live-action projects. Fans are hopeful that Ian McKellen will once again don the robes of the beloved character.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is now set to premiere three Decembers from now. As the wait continues, fans can stay updated with the latest on Amazon Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, which has been confirmed for a third season earlier this year.