Key Facts
Production has officially begun on The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. Warner Bros. released the first behind-the-scenes footage showing Andy Serkis back in character as the ring-obsessed creature. The film is set to hit theaters on December 17, 2027.
First Set Footage Revealed
The brief video offers a glimpse of Serkis on set in New Zealand, wearing a motion capture suit. He is seen reviewing the script and asking a production assistant, “What are we gonna start with?” The assistant replies, “Uhh, Scene 1, the beginning.” Serkis responds, “That’s a very good place to start.” He then crouches into Gollum’s signature spider-like pose, hunches his shoulders, and curls his lips into a feral snarl before saying “Action!” The teaser ends with a cinematic drone shot of New Zealand’s craggy mountains.
Andy Serkis: Director and Star
Serkis is pulling double duty, directing the movie while reprising his iconic role as Gollum/Sméagol. He reunites with the original creative team: Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens, who collaborated on the earlier Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies.
Returning and New Cast Members
The ensemble includes several familiar faces: Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Elijah Wood as Frodo, and Lee Pace as King Thranduil. New additions to the cast are Kate Winslet as Marigol, Jamie Dornan as Strider, Leo Woodall as Halvard, and Anya Taylor-Joy as an elf.
What Serkis Says About the Reunion
Serkis expressed his joy about working with the Middle-earth family again: “It couldn’t be better. And it’s not just those guys who obviously I adore and love and have spent so many years working with, but the entire crew, practically from 25 years ago. So it’s great. And there are generations of their kids too. So it is a big family affair.”
What Readers Should Know
- The film is being shot in New Zealand, the original location for the trilogy.
- It is scheduled for release on December 17, 2027.
- The story focuses on the hunt for Gollum, a key plot thread from the original books.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did The Hunt for Gollum start filming?
Filming began in July 2026, as confirmed by Warner Bros. with behind-the-scenes footage.
Who is directing The Hunt for Gollum?
Andy Serkis is directing the film in addition to playing Gollum.
Which original cast members are returning?
Ian McKellen (Gandalf), Elijah Wood (Frodo), and Lee Pace (King Thranduil) are returning.
When is the release date for The Hunt for Gollum?
The film is scheduled for release on December 17, 2027.