Warner Bros. is moving forward with a new LORD OF THE RINGS movie, and it is not a reboot. The new film based on Tolkien's writing is currently subtitled THE HUNT FOR GOLLUM, which suggests that it will at least partially be set during the time between when Gandalf first saw Frodo's Ring of Power, and when he returned to the Shire warning of great danger.
Even better, this movie is being overseen by those responsible for the original trilogy. And while we do not know which familiar human, elf and/or dwarf characters might appear, we do know that the man responsible for making Gollum such an effective character, Andy Serkis, will return to play Gollum in this movie, too.
Here's everything we know about LORD OF THE RINGS: THE HUNT FOR GOLLUM so far.
What's the Release Date for The Hunt for Golllum?
So far, Warner Bros. has not specified a release date for this movie. THE HUNT FOR GOLLUM is generally expected to be released in theaters in 2026. If we had to guess, we would expect a holiday release, but that's just a guess at this point.
Is There a Trailer for Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum?
There is no trailer, footage, or even any images for THE HUNT FOR GOLLUM. The movie has not filmed yet. Chances are, we have many months to wait before we see any significant images for footage.
What's the Story in The Hunt for Gollum?
The plot and story of THE HUNT FOR GOLLUM are a mystery right now, but the title suggests some structure. In Tolkien's novel "The Fellowship of the Ring," Gandalf visits the Shire years after Bilbo passes the Ring to Frodo. He tells Frodo about the Ring's history, its connection to Gollum, and the fact that Sauron's forces went in search of the creature just as Gandalf did.
The title indicates that period of time is the core of the new movie. But it doesn't seem like enough for a film, so we would guess that the plot will expand well beyond the obvious boundaries suggested by the movie's title.
Will Ian McKellan Return as Gandalf?
Ian McKellan said very recently that he is open to playing Gandalf again. He also said he has not been approached about returning. (Which may or may not be true! An actor is not required to answer questions about upcoming projects with total honesty.) Getting McKellan back into the Gandalf costume would be a huge win for fans.
Who Is Directing The Hunt for Gollum?
Here's the fun news: Andy Serkis will direct THE HUNT FOR GOLLUM in addition to reprising the title role. He's not the only creative returning from the production of the original LORD OF THE RINGS movies. Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens are producing the new movie. Walsh and Boyens are scripting with Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou.
The effects wizards at WETA are involved as well, and the movie will film in New Zealand, which also doubled as Middle-Earth for Jackson's previous Tolkien adaptations.
This Is One of Two New Middle-Earth Movies
In addition to the still-developing THE HUNT FOR GOLLUM, New Line and Warner Bros. are also releasing LORD OF THE RINGS: THE WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM. This is a theatrical release, coming in December 2024. Rather than being filmed in live-action, it is an animated movie, with a story set hundreds of years before "The Hobbit." Read more about THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE WAR OF THE ROHIRRIM here.
We'll tell you more about THE HUNT FOR GOLLUM as news is announced.
All images courtesy of New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures.