"The Hunt for Gollum Premieres December 2027"

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 eagerly anticipated film will bring Sméagol's story to the big screen, delighting fans who have been waiting since the previously announced 2026 plan was pushed back by at least a year. As we look forward to the holiday season in 2027, fantasy enthusiasts are already making plans to celebrate this cinematic event.

The film is being directed by the acclaimed Andy Serkis, known for his work on Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Serkis is also celebrated for his iconic performance as Gollum in the original The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, as well as his role as Caesar in the 2010 Planet of the Apes trilogy. Fans will be thrilled to know that Serkis is not only directing but will also reprise his role as Gollum, bringing his deep understanding of the character to both sides of the camera.

Serkis's expertise in motion capture and his intimate knowledge of Gollum's psyche will be complemented by a team of seasoned Middle-earth veterans. The film's production team includes Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner, while the script is being crafted by Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou.

In terms of the storyline, Peter Jackson has teased that The Hunt for Gollum will explore the pasts of beloved characters, diving into aspects of Gollum's journey that were not covered in the previous 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. He hinted at potential encounters with other characters, drawing inspiration directly from J.R.R. Tolkien's work.

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 is poised to introduce fans to new tales while possibly featuring familiar faces from the saga. Gandalf, for instance, is expected to appear, with Philippa Boyens hinting to Empire that the wizard might feature in up to two live-action films. If all goes well, the legendary character could be brought to life once again by the original actor, Ian McKellen.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is scheduled to hit theaters in three Decembers. While we await its release, 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.