'Lord of the Rings - The Hunt for Gollum' release date confirmed: Plot, cast, and other details

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is officially on the way. Warner Bros. has confirmed that the new Lord of the Rings movie will hit theatres on December 17, 2027.

“We’ve been waiting for you, precious. The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum — only in theatres 17 December 2027,” the studio said in a post on X.

As reported earlier, Andy Serkis will direct the film while also reprising his iconic role as Gollum. The project is being produced by the Oscar-winning team of Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens — the trio behind The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Walsh and Boyens are also co-writing the screenplay.

The Hunt for Gollum Plot

According to reports, the film will follow Aragorn on a dangerous mission to track down Gollum — a quest commissioned by Gandalf.

Set between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, the story dives into Middle-earth’s darker corners as Aragorn races to capture Gollum before he reveals the location of the One Ring to Sauron.



The film bridges a crucial gap in the timeline, showing how Gandalf and Aragorn uncover the truth about Bilbo Baggins’ ring — which is eventually revealed to be the One Ring.

The Hunt for Gollum Cast

Andy Serkis returns as Gollum and also directs the film.

WB has also confirmed the return of Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen as Frodo and Gandalf. Lee Pace will return as Thranduil.
The teaser has also confirmed Jamie Dornan as Strider (Aragorn’s alias), while Leo Woodall will portray Halvard. Kate Winslet too is joining the film as Marigol.

Who is Gollum?

Gollum is one of the most complex characters created by J. R. R. Tolkien.

Originally known as Sméagol, he was once a hobbit-like creature. His life changed after discovering the One Ring, which slowly corrupted him over centuries — warping both his body and mind.

Gollum exists in two conflicting personalities:

• Sméagol — the fragile, lingering trace of his former self
• Gollum — the obsessive, darker side consumed by the Ring

He plays a crucial role in the journey of Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee, guiding them toward Mount Doom — though his loyalty is always uncertain.

In 2024, the studio released The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, which explored the story of legendary Rohan king Helm Hammerhand.

The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films have collectively earned nearly $6 billion at the global box office. The Return of the King won a record 11 Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, tying with Titanic and Ben-Hur for the most wins.

The franchise has also expanded into gaming, with Tales of the Shire announced earlier.