Middle-earth is calling once again, and this time, it’s Gollum who takes center stage. Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have officially announced (per Variety) that The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum will arrive in cinemas on 17 December 2027. Andy Serkis, long synonymous with the twisted, tormented figure of Gollum, will both direct and star in the film. He’s joined by Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens, the powerhouse team behind the Oscar-winning Lord of the Rings trilogy, now returning to shape a new chapter of Middle-earth.
Set during the events of The Fellowship of the Ring, The Hunt for Gollum aims to explore a lesser-known thread from Tolkien’s lore: Gandalf and Aragorn’s secret efforts to locate the creature who once possessed the One Ring. Though not officially confirmed, speculation has naturally turned to whether actors like Ian McKellen and Viggo Mortensen could return to reprise their iconic roles. Nothing is set in stone, but the creative team’s history of loyalty to its original cast keeps the possibility very much alive.
This return to Middle-earth also continues a tradition: every live-action Lord of the Rings film has premiered in December. The original trilogy began with The Fellowship of the Ring on 19 December 2001, and concluded with The Return of the King on 17 December 2003, the same date The Hunt for Gollum now occupies. Thirteen years will have passed since The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies wrapped up the last live-action trilogy. That span, coupled with recent disappointment from the anime prequel The War of the Rohirrim, gives this new film an opportunity to reignite enthusiasm in a franchise still beloved by many.
That holiday season spot also plants a flag in a competitive release corridor currently also claimed by Disney for a yet-untitled Star Wars film. Warner Bros.’ willingness to place The Hunt for Gollum head-to-head with a franchise of that scale signals confidence in its potential draw, especially for audiences eager to return to the world of hobbits, rangers, and ancient evils.
Though The Hunt for Gollum is just one of two planned films overseen by Jackson, Walsh, and Boyens, this first instalment already carries the weight of audience expectation. Hopefully this won’t just be another nostalgic add-on, but the beginning of a new chapter for Middle-earth.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum opens in cinemas on 17 December 2027.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
Yong Le
