Andy Serkis has revealed when filming for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum will begin. Taking place between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring, The Hunt for Gollum‘s story will explore more of the тιтular character’s journey before meeting Frodo and his fateful end in The Return of the King. With Serkis reprising his iconic role from The Lord of the Rings films, audiences will see the actor play Gollum for the first time since 2012’s The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.

When speaking with Collider about the making of The Hunt for Gollum, Serkis revealed that the film is in the early production stages, and that shooting will take place “in the early to mid-part of next year.” Though Serkis says that The Hunt for Gollum is a “sizable movie,” he is excited to start working on the film, which he claims will be ready for a December 2027 release:

“I’m incredibly excited to go back and work with my friends and family in New Zealand and actually do something which is, I think, going to be surprising, and yet very much part of the lore and the feel of the trilogy. The sensibility of it will feel, I think, close to that, and yet we’re investigating in greater depth the character formerly known as Smeagol, but mostly known as Gollum.”

What Serkis’ Comments Mean For The Hunt Of Gollum

The Hunt Of Gollum Is Set To Share A Compelling Character Study In December 2027

Overall, The Hunt for Gollum seems to be on the right track with its production schedule. While the release of Gollum’s movie was pushed back a year, it appears that the team behind the project is nearly ready to begin filming. It often takes one to two years for a Hollywood blockbuster to be filmed and edited, so starting anytime between January and June 2026 should give the filmmakers enough time to finish The Hunt for Gollum.

Serkis’ comments also suggest that the story of The Hunt for Gollum will remain faithful to the lore and aesthetic of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, especially since filming will take place in New Zealand like the franchise’s previous movies. Likewise, Serkis implied that the film will explore the character of Smeagol/Gollum in a way no other movie has done before. This should help make The Hunt for Gollum an epic and unique study of one of the most compelling characters in the Lord of the Rings franchise.

Our Take On The Hunt For Gollum’s Update

I’m Intrigued By Gollum’s Upcoming Return

Despite Gollum’s popularity among Lord of the Rings fans, a live-action solo feature about the character seemed like an unusual choice for a big-budget film. Since he is an antagonist who spends much of the franchise lurking in the shadows, scheming against the main protagonists, it was unclear if Gollum could carry his own movie. It seemed like this project could’ve been shelved, especially after both The Hunt for Gollum‘s previous delay and the lackluster performance of The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.

However, Serkis’ comments ᴀssert that the filmmakers are committed to making The Hunt for Gollum, indicating their faith in the project. It is too early to judge a project before production has even begun, so audiences should see what the film’s creators have in store within one to two years. The movies explored some of Gollum’s tragic backstory involving the One Ring and his conflicted character. However, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum could present a new side to his mysterious character that has not yet been seen, and must be shown on the big screen.

Source: Collider