Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have officially announced the release date for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, setting the premiere for December 17, 2027. This date places the film more than two years away, marking a delay of at least one year from the previously announced 2026 plan. Despite the wait, fans of the fantasy genre are already planning their Christmas celebrations for 2027 around this highly anticipated release.
The film is being directed by Andy Serkis, known for his work on Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Serkis is not only directing but will also reprise his iconic role as Gollum, adding to his legacy which includes portraying Caesar in the 2010 Planet of the Apes trilogy, as well as Gollum in both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Fans should be thrilled to know that Serkis is deeply involved in both the creative and acting aspects of this project.
Serkis's familiarity with Gollum’s character will be complemented by the return of several Middle-earth veterans. Producers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner are all on board, alongside writers Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou. Peter Jackson has shared insights into the film's narrative, promising to delve into beloved characters’ pasts and explore aspects of Gollum's journey that were not covered in 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 stated. "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. expands its future plans for The Lord of the Rings series, The Hunt for Gollum is expected to introduce other returning characters. Gandalf is one name expected to appear, and Philippa Boyens hinted to Empire last October that he could feature in possibly two live-action films. If plans proceed as hoped, the beloved wizard might even be portrayed once again by the original actor, Ian McKellen.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is slated for release in three Decembers. While fans eagerly await its arrival, they can keep up with the latest developments on 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.
