"Lord of the Rings: Gollum Hunt 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 stage for Sméagol's cinematic journey on December 17, 2027. This premiere is scheduled more than two years from now, marking at least a one-year delay from the previously announced 2026 plan. Despite the wait, fantasy fans are already buzzing with excitement about how they'll celebrate Christmas in 2027 with this highly anticipated film.

The film is being directed by Andy Serkis, renowned for his work on Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Serkis's involvement extends beyond directing; he's also known for his iconic performances as Caesar in the 2010 Planet of the Apes trilogy and, most famously, as Gollum in both the original The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Fans will be thrilled to know that Serkis will be both behind and in front of the camera for this project.

Serkis's deep understanding of Gollum's character is complemented by a team of Middle-earth veterans, including producers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner. The writing team consists of Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou. Last year, Jackson provided some insight into the storyline, teasing that the film will explore the beloved characters' pasts, focusing on 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. "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 its journey into the future of The Lord of the Rings franchise, The Hunt for Gollum and possibly other films are expected to feature other returning characters. Gandalf is one name expected to appear, with Boyens hinting last October to Empire that he could be featured in potentially two live-action films. If all goes as planned, the iconic wizard may even be portrayed by original actor Ian McKellen.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is now slated for release in three Decembers. While the wait might seem long, fans can stay engaged with the latest updates 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.