Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have officially announced the release date for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, planning to bring Sméagol's tale to the silver screen on December 17, 2027. This eagerly anticipated premiere date is set more than two years from now, marking a delay of at least one year from the previously announced 2026 plan. Nevertheless, this hasn't dampened the spirits of fantasy fans, who are already making plans for their Christmas celebrations in 2027.

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 is also celebrated for his iconic roles, notably as Caesar in the 2010 Planet of the Apes trilogy and, of course, as Gollum in both the original The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Fans will be thrilled to know that Serkis is set to helm the project while also reprising his role as Gollum.

With his deep understanding of Gollum's psyche, Serkis will be joined by other Middle-earth veterans, including producers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner. The screenplay is being crafted by Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou.

Last year, Peter Jackson provided some insights into the storyline, hinting that audiences can expect to see beloved characters’ pasts explored. He mentioned the intention to delve into aspects of Gollum's journey that were not covered in the 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

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As Warner Bros. continues to expand the universe of The Lord of the Rings with future films, The Hunt for Gollum – and possibly other projects – may likely feature other returning characters. Gandalf, one name expected to appear, was mentioned by Philippa Boyens in an interview with Empire last October, suggesting his potential appearance in up to two live-action films. If all goes well, the legendary wizard may even be portrayed by the original actor, Ian McKellen.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is scheduled to hit theaters three Decembers from now. While we wait, stay updated 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.