The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum Delayed to December 2027

Andy Serkis confirms the live-action prequel is still in early development, with scriptwriting underway and filming planned for 2026.

Originally slated for release in December 2026, the film's new release date is December 2027 due to the extensive preparation and production timeline.
Andy Serkis will direct and reprise his role as Gollum, with Peter Jackson and Philippa Boyens also involved in the creative team.
The film is expected to explore Gollum's journey after encountering Bilbo, though plot details remain unconfirmed.
Warner Bros. is reportedly considering bringing back original trilogy actors, including Ian McKellen as Gandalf and potentially Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn, though no casting beyond Serkis has been finalized.
The project is being developed as a standalone live-action film, with Warner Bros. hinting at additional Middle-earth movies in the future.