"Lord of the Rings: Gollum Hunt" Set for Dec 2027 Release

Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have set the stage for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, locking in a theatrical release date of December 17, 2027. This fresh chapter in Middle-earth's saga will bring Sméagol's complex tale back to the big screen.

While the premiere remains over two years away—and marks a slight delay from the previously targeted 2026 window—fans are already buzzing about how this fantasy epic could become a holiday season centerpiece.

Taking the director’s chair is Andy Serkis, known for helming Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Of course, Serkis is already legendary among Tolkien fans for his unforgettable performance as Gollum across both The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies—not to his motion-capture brilliance as Caesar in the Planet of the Apes reboot series. Excitingly, he’ll be pulling double duty this time, directing while also reprising his iconic role.

Serkis won’t be navigating Middle-earth alone. The project reunites key creatives from Jackson’s original trilogy, including producers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner. The writing team—comprising Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou—promises an authentic expansion of Tolkien’s world.

Jackson previously teased that the film will explore untold stories, saying they aim to “delve into those parts of his journey we didn’t have time to cover in the earlier films.” While plot specifics remain under wraps, he emphasized their commitment to staying true to Tolkien’s vision: “We will take our lead from the original author.”

The Lord of the Rings Movies in (Chronological) Order

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As Warner Bros. expands its Middle-earth universe, The Hunt for Gollum may feature familiar faces. Speculation suggests Gandalf could appear, with Boyens hinting to Empire that the beloved wizard might feature across multiple upcoming films. Even more thrilling? Original actor Ian McKellen could potentially return to the role.

With three years until release, fans can dive into Amazon Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power—which recently secured a Season 3 renewal—while counting down to Gollum’s long-awaited return.