"The Lord of the Rings: Gollum Hunt Premiere Set for 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 unveil Sméagol’s tale to audiences on December 17, 2027. This announcement positions the film's premiere over two years away, reflecting a delay of at least a year from the previously announced 2026 plan. Despite the wait, fantasy enthusiasts are already eagerly anticipating how they'll celebrate Christmas in 2027.

At the helm of The Hunt for Gollum is Andy Serkis, renowned for directing Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Serkis is also celebrated for his acting prowess, notably for portraying Caesar in the 2010 Planet of the Apes trilogy and, most famously, Gollum in both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film trilogies. Fans will be thrilled to know that Serkis is involved in the project both as director and actor.

Leveraging his deep understanding of Gollum, Serkis will collaborate with other Middle-earth veterans to bring this film to life. Producers include Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner, with screenplay contributions from Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou.

Peter Jackson has teased some details about the plot, suggesting that the film will delve into the pasts of beloved characters. He aims to explore narratives that weren't covered in earlier films, focusing on Gollum's backstory. "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 explained, emphasizing a commitment to J.R.R. Tolkien’s original vision.

The Lord of the Rings Movies in (Chronological) Order

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As Warner Bros. ventures further into the future of The Lord of the Rings franchise, The Hunt for Gollum and other potential films are expected to feature returning characters. Notably, Gandalf is anticipated to appear, with Philippa Boyens hinting to Empire last October that he might be featured in up to two live-action films. If plans proceed as hoped, the iconic wizard could be portrayed once again by the original actor, Ian McKellen.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is slated to hit theaters in three Decembers. While the wait continues, fans can stay updated 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.