LOTR: The Hunt For Gollum Delayed Until 2027

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Summary

  • Lord of the Rings: The Hunt For Gollum delayed to December 2027.
  • Full prep is necessary for adapting Tolkien’s work into a quality film.
  • Delays may lead to unexpected positive outcomes for the studio and its fans.

Although Lord Of the Rings: The Hunt For Gollum won’t be divided into parts to make fans visit cinemas twice, a recent comment from a key creative figure working on the project hints that wrapping up the story may take some time yet.

After wrapping up the “Hobbit” film series, which was less favorably received than his previous work on the “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, director Peter Jackson took a hiatus from releasing films in this franchise. However, following Warner Bros. Discovery’s decision to fully leverage its popular intellectual properties, there has been an announcement of numerous new projects within the “Lord of the Rings” universe, such as “Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.

As a passionate movie enthusiast, I must share the latest updates about “Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum,” which has been embroiled in some release plan controversy. Recently, Andy Serkis himself, the mastermind behind this project, confirmed that the film won’t be hitting theaters next year as initially planned.

During his Fan Expo Vancouver 2025 panel, when asked about the film’s progress, Serkis admitted, “Regrettably, it’s not 2026. We had originally aimed for a December 2026 release. However, it’s now slated for December 2027.” He further explained that they are just starting the writing process and will be preparing later this year. Preparation typically takes around six to seven months, followed by filming next year, which pushes the release date back to December 2027.

Although Warner Bros. Discovery hasn’t officially altered the 2026 release date for the movie, given Andy Serkis’ role as the lead actor, director, and executive producer, his insights on the timeline are highly reliable. The complexity of turning the story elements mentioned into a full-blown theatrical project requires extensive work, possibly explaining the extended timeframe. With numerous potential stories within the Lord of the Rings franchise to choose from, the writers face a daunting task as their workload exceeds that of either of Jackson’s trilogies. Adapting Tolkien’s work accurately is an extraordinary challenge, and rushing the writers would only diminish the quality. Therefore, delays in the film’s release due to writing and preparation may ultimately benefit the project.

Though some fans may have envisioned a different approach for the live-action return of the franchise, the history suggests that The Hunt for Gollum has potential. With the writers dedicating time to develop the narrative and Andy Serkis involved as both star and director, along with realistic timelines for the project, The Hunt for Gollum could turn out to be a pleasant surprise for the studio, the series, and its followers. It remains to be seen whether the wait will prove worthwhile, but this also means that there’s ample opportunity to refine the script, secure suitable actors, and undergo the intricate post-production work necessary for a Tolkien-esque fantasy epic.

Lord Of the Rings: The Hunt For Gollum is currently set for theatrical release in December, 2027.

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2025-02-28 20:14