Gollum's Return in the New "Lord of the Rings" Film Hits Theaters 2027
Anticipated Release of the Latest Lord of the Rings Series Scheduled for 2027
Get ready, Middle-earth fanatics! A new film from J.R.R. Tolkien's enchanting universe of "The Lord of the Rings" is set to grace the big screen in just two years. This time, it's all about Gollum.
More than twenty years have passed since the cinematic première of "The Fellowship of the Ring" in 2001, a milestone many believed the unfilmable fantasy saga would never reach. Director Peter Jackson's groundbreaking film trilogy adaptation of Tolkien's novel managed to etch its name in Hollywood history forever. Later, he also directed the three-part film adaptation of "The Hobbit" (2012-2014), though not quite equaling its predecessor's brilliance.
But fans of the mystical world of Middle-earth can now look forward to another captivating adventure. According to industry magazine "Variety", Warner Bros. has revealed that "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum" will be premiering in theaters on December 17, 2027.
Unlike the previous movies in the series, this time there's no complete source material from Tolkien to draw on. Instead, it will gather themes and passages from the fantasy author's novels to weave its tale. Back in 2009, a fan-produced short film titled "The Hunt for Gollum" was released with a minimal budget and semi-professional production, yet it still managed to garner some attention. It remains to be seen how closely the upcoming blockbuster will be tied to this early attempt.
Andy Serkis Takes the Director's Chair
While Jackson will remain connected to the project in a behind-the-scenes role, directing duties for "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum" will be handed to someone new: Andy Serkis, who will once again embody Gollum, a role he played in the original "Lord of the Rings" films and the initial installment of "The Hobbit" through the use of motion capture technology. Serkis' directorial resume includes "Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle" and "Venom: Let There Be Carnage".
Originally, the studio had announced that the film would hit cinemas in 2026. However, the start of filming, which was announced in the summer of 2024, has now been delayed by a year.
Philippa Boyens, who produced the original trilogy alongside Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, spoke to "Empire" magazine about the forthcoming film, describing it as "a very intense story" that takes place "after Bilbo's birthday party and before the mines of Moria". Boyens further elaborated: "It's a specific part of an incredible, untold story, told from the perspective of this incredible creature."
The trio of Jackson, Walsh, and Boyens will once again serve as the production crew for this film, with Warner Bros. emphasizing in the announcement of the project that they will be involved in every stage of the process.
Familiar Faces We May See Again
Apart from Gollum, there's hope that other popular figures from the original "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy may make a reappearance. Ian McKellen (Gandalf), Orlando Bloom (Legolas), and Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn) have all shown interest in reprising their roles if the story permits it, though official confirmation about other cast members has yet to come.
Warner Bros. can anticipate another box office success with this latest installment. Both the "Lord of the Rings" and "Hobbit" trilogies each grossed approximately $2.9 billion worldwide. The franchise last graced 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: The next "Evil Dead" film, starring Souheila Yacoub, will debut on July 24, 2026, while "Remain", directed by M. Night Shyamalan and featuring Jake Gyllenhaal, Phoebe Dynevor, and Ashley Walters, is scheduled for October 23, 2026.
I'm not going to be a big fan of the new Lord of the Rings movie, "The Hunt for Gollum," given my reservations about how films in the entertainment genre, specifically movies-and-tv, adapt sci-fi-and-fantasy content. However, the movie's previous collaborators, including Philippa Boyens and Andy Serkis, along with the involvement of familiar faces from the original trilogy, have piqued my curiosity about the film.
