The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum Movie Delayed, Likely 2027 Release

by Annika March 3, 2025

With the announcement of the highly anticipated The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum movie, fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy series are buzzing with excitement. Directed by the talented Andy Serkis, who also stars in the film, this new installment in the franchise is now likely to hit theaters in December 2027, marking the beginning of a new era for The Lord of the Rings movies.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum Movie Delayed, Likely 2027 Release

Serkis, best known for his groundbreaking motion-capture performances as Gollum in the original Lord of the Rings trilogy, was revealed to be taking on directing duties for The Hunt for Gollum back in May 2024. Fans were thrilled to hear that he would not only be behind the camera, but also back on screen as the iconic character that earned him critical acclaim.

The film, which is the first in a new batch of movies set in Tolkien’s beloved world, was initially announced with a vague 2026 release date.

In a statement, Serkis expressed his excitement for the project, saying, “I am thrilled to be a part of bringing the world of Lord of the Rings back to the big screen. It’s a story that holds a special place in my heart and I can’t wait for audiences to see what we have in store for them.” In a more recent update, Serkis updated fans on when to expect it.

“Yeah, it is not 2026,” Serkis said about The Hunt for Gollum’s release date. “It was originally going to be December 2026. It is going to be December 2027.”

The Hunt for Gollum will follow the story of the titular character, Gollum, and his journey through Middle-earth after losing the One Ring. Set before the events of the original trilogy, the film will delve deeper into Gollum’s backstory and shed light on his complex character.

This news has sparked a frenzy among Lord of the Rings fans, with many taking to social media to share their excitement. One fan tweeted, “Andy Serkis directing and starring in a Lord of the Rings movie? This is a dream come true!” Another fan wrote, “Gollum is one of my favorite characters and I can’t wait to see more of his story on the big screen.”

The Hunt for Gollum is just the beginning of a new wave of Lord of the Rings movies, as it has been reported that more projects are in development.