Gollum, Here Comes Your Time in the Spotlight: "The Lord of the Rings" Movie Returns in 2027
Anticipated Release of New Lord of the Rings Series Slated for 2027
Get ready for a Middle-earth adventure! In three years, we'll be witnessing a new chapter in J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved universe as "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum" hits the big screen.
Since the debut of "The Fellowship of the Ring" in 2001, Peter Jackson's film trilogy adaptation of Tolkien's novel catapulted Hollywood into a new era of epic fantasy. Although the three-part "The Hobbit" adaptation that followed didn't quite reach the heights of "The Lord of the Rings", fans are eager for more.
Warner Bros.' announcement that "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum" will be launched on December 17, 2027, has fans rejoicing. Unlike previous films, there's no complete source material from Tolkien this time. The movie will feature various motifs and passages from Tolkien's novels, drawing inspiration from the world of Middle-earth.
In 2009, a short film titled "The Hunt for Gollum" was released as part of a fan project. Despite limited resources, it managed to garner some recognition. The extent to which the upcoming blockbuster is based on this short film remains unclear.
Andy Serkis Steps Up to Direct
While Peter Jackson remains involved in the film's production, he's passed the director's reins to someone new: Andy Serkis, who will reprise his role as Gollum. Gollum is a character Serkis brought to life through motion capture technology in the original "The Lord of the Rings" films and the first part of "The Hobbit". Other directorial credits for Serkis include "Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle" and "Venom: Let There Be Carnage".
The initial release date for the movie was 2026, but it's now been delayed a year, with the rescheduled release taking place in the summer of 2024.
Philippa Boyens Reveals Story Details
In an interview with "Empire" magazine, Philippa Boyens, who worked on the original trilogy with Jackson and Fran Walsh, explained that "The Hunt for Gollum" is a "quite intense story". It unfolds "after Bilbo's birthday party and before the mines of Moria", shed light on an intriguing, yet untold story from Middle-earth.
The team behind the original trilogy - Jackson, Walsh, and Boyens – will yet again oversee this film, with Warner Bros. emphasizing their role in every phase of the production.
Potential Returning Cast Members
The possibility that other familiar faces from the original "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy might make a comeback is exciting for fans. Stars like Ian McKellen (Gandalf), Orlando Bloom (Legolas), and Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn) have all expressed interest in reprising their roles if the story aligns. However, no official word has been issued regarding other actors joining the cast.
Thebox Office Potential
With both the "Lord of the Rings" and "Hobbit" trilogies earning roughly $2.9 billion worldwide, Warner Bros. can look forward to another potential box office hit with the new movie. The franchise made its recent appearance in theaters in December 2024 with the anime film "The Lord of the Rings: The Battle of the Rohirrim".
In addition to "The Hunt for Gollum", Warner Bros. has also announced release dates for other productions: "Evil Dead" (July 24, 2026) and "Remain" (October 23, 2026), featuring Jake Gyllenhaal, Phoebe Dynevor, and Ashley Walters.
Sources: ntv.de, vpr/spot
In-depth Insights
actors & roles:
Ian McKellen (Gandalf) – has expressed strong commitment to any project involving Peter Jackson[2].Orlando Bloom (Legolas) – has also shown enthusiasm for returning to the franchise.[2]Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn) – has not made a definitive statement about returning to the franchise yet.[2]Elijah Wood – married in 2021, yet to return to "The Lord of the Rings" films.[2]Cate Blanchett - discussed her salary during an interview about the "Lord of the Rings" films, stating it was significantly less than what men received.[6]
production team:
Phoebe Gittins – a writer known for her work on "Doctor Who", "Torchwood", and the "Sherlock" series, is now involved in writing "The Hunt for Gollum".[1]Arty Papageorgiou – another writer with credits on "Torchwood" and "Doctor Who", making his mark on the screenplay for the next film.[1]
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- I'm not going to be a big fan of this Gollum movie releasing in 2027, given the inconsistencies in the quality of adaptations from Tolkien's works.
- Despite the limited resources, the short fan film "The Hunt for Gollum" released in 2009 managed to garner some recognition, hinting at the potential success of the upcoming blockbuster.
- In the entertainment industry, Andy Serkis, who is reprising his role as Gollum in "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum," has also worked as a director on films like "Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle" and "Venom: Let There Be Carnage."
- The box office potential of "The Hunt for Gollum" is significant, considering the financial successes of the previous "Lord of the Rings" and "Hobbit" trilogies. Nevertheless, it's worth noting that cast members like Cate Blanchett have discussed gender-based salary disparities in the past.
