Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have confirmed the release date for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, bringing Sméagol’s journey to theaters on December 17, 2027.
This premiere is scheduled over two years from now, marking at least a one-year delay from the previously announced 2026 plan. Still, fantasy enthusiasts are likely already planning their holiday viewing for 2027.
Directed by Andy Serkis, known for helming Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle, the film also features Serkis reprising his iconic role as Gollum. His past performances as Caesar in the Planet of the Apes trilogy and Gollum in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies have cemented his legacy, and fans can look forward to his dual role as director and actor.
Serkis, a motion-capture expert, deeply understands Gollum’s essence and is joined by Middle-earth veterans, including producers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner. The screenplay is crafted by Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou.
Jackson has hinted at the film’s direction, noting it will explore untold stories from beloved characters’ pasts. He emphasized a focus on narratives left uncovered in prior films, staying true to J.R.R. Tolkien’s vision.
“We aim to dive into Gollum’s backstory, exploring parts of his journey we couldn’t address before,” Jackson shared. “While it’s early to confirm other characters, our approach will honor Tolkien’s work.”
The Lord of the Rings Movies in (Chronological) Order
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As Warner Bros. expands its Lord of the Rings cinematic universe, The Hunt for Gollum may see familiar faces return. Gandalf is likely to appear, with Philippa Boyens suggesting to Empire last October that the wizard could feature in up to two live-action films, potentially played again by Ian McKellen.
With The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum set for release in December 2027, fans have time to wait. In the meantime, catch up on the latest news about Amazon Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, which was greenlit for Season 3 earlier this year.
