Andy Serkis recently told Metro he will start working towards New Zealand this month for “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt of the Gollum,” a new “Ring” film he stars and directs. Warner Bros. has already announced that the film will open in theaters on December 17th, 2027. “Gollum” will be Peter Jackson’s first live-action “Ring” film since 2014’s “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.”
“I’m very excited to be back. I’ll be leaving for New Zealand on Saturday (September 6th),” Serkis said. “We start preparing and starting work because I’m directing. I’m excited to go back to the family I’ve loved working with for many years and the characters I can’t get away with.”
Warner Bros. first announced “The Hunt of Gollum” in the summer of 2024, initially saying theatres are ready for 2026. Then it was late in December 2027. Serkis’s supervisor efforts include “Mowgli: The Legend of Jungle” and “Venom: There’s Let hoernage.”
Peter Jackson, who directed the trilogy of “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit,” produces “The Hunt of Gollum” with longtime Ring co-writers Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens. Warner Bros. highlighted when the trio announced “to get involved at every stage” and “Gollum.”
Boyens previously said that “The Hunt for Gollum” is a “very intense story” and “falls in front of Moria’s mine after Bilbo’s birthday party” and “very intense story.” It’s a particular chunk of incredibly told stories told through this incredible creature’s perspective.” Original “Ring” cast members like Ian McKellen (Gandalf), Orlando Bloom (Legolas), and Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn) have expressed interest in returning to the new film if the story makes no sense, but no additional cast has been confirmed.
McKellen revealed in London for the Love of Fantasy event in August that his character Gandalf and Frodo, played by Elijah Wood, will return to “The Hunt of Gollum.” At this point it is unknown which capacity the characters will appear.
