Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have officially announced the release date for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, setting the stage for Sméagol’s tale to hit the big screen 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. Despite the wait, fans of the fantasy genre are already marking their calendars and dreaming of how they’ll celebrate Christmas in 2027 with this cinematic event.

The film is being helmed by Andy Serkis, known for directing Venom: Let There Be Carnage and Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle. Serkis is no stranger to Middle-earth, having portrayed Gollum in both the original The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, as well as Caesar in the Planet of the Apes trilogy. Fans will be thrilled to know that Serkis will be both directing and acting in this new venture, bringing his deep understanding of Gollum to the forefront.

Serkis will be joined by a team of seasoned Middle-earth veterans, including producers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner. The writing team comprises Walsh, Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou, promising a rich narrative. Last year, Peter Jackson teased fans with insights into the storyline, suggesting that beloved characters’ pasts will be explored, focusing on aspects of Gollum’s journey that were not covered in previous 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 explained. “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 its Middle-earth saga, The Hunt for Gollum is expected to feature other returning characters. Notably, Gandalf is one name expected to appear, with Philippa Boyens mentioning to Empire last October that he could appear in potentially two live-action films. If plans proceed smoothly, fans might see the iconic wizard portrayed by original actor Ian McKellen.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is slated for release in three Decembers from now. While waiting for this much-anticipated film, fans can stay updated 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.