In The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, Andy Serkis will not only be reprising his role as Gollum, he'll also be directing the fantasy prequel.
The film, which has a confirmed theatrical release date of December 17, 2027, will be produced by Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens.
The upcoming project is a psychological drama inspired by the appendices of J.R.R. Tolkien’s works, set in the years between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring. Its story follows Gandalf and Aragorn as they undertake a relentless pursuit of Gollum, hoping to stop him from falling under Sauron’s control and exposing the location of the One Ring.
Alongside their quest, the film will explore Gollum’s tragic backstory in greater depth, highlighting the constant struggle between his fractured identities, Sméagol and Gollum.
Though not yet confirmed, the production is rumored to make extensive use of de-aging technology to portray both Gandalf and Aragorn at younger stages of their lives.
Currently in pre-production, the film is expected to begin shooting in mid-2025. Promising a new perspective on Middle-earth, this adaptation seeks to illuminate a crucial yet largely untold chapter of Tolkien’s legendarium.
Now, in the video below, Ian McKellen can be seen confirming his return as Gandalf, along with the surprising return of Frodo. McKellen was one of the special guests at the For the Love of Fantasy fan event in London, yesterday afternoon.
"I'll tell you two secrets about the casting: There's a character in the movie called Frodo, and there's a character in the movie called Gandalf," he teased. "And apart from that, my lips are sealed."
After the events of The Hobbit, Gollum became utterly obsessed with reclaiming the One Ring. When Bilbo Baggins took it from him in the depths of the Misty Mountains, his mind fractured further, consumed by rage and a burning hatred for “Baggins.”
For the first time in centuries, Gollum abandoned his cave and set out into the wider world, determined to track down the thief. His dangerous pursuit left Gandalf and Aragorn deeply concerned, as they feared Gollum’s movements could ultimately reveal the Ring’s whereabouts to Sauron.
Gollum's quest eventually led him to be captured by Aragorn, who delivered him to Gandalf for interrogation. He would eventually break free only to be recaptured again, this time by Sauron's forces who learned from Gollum that a Hobbit had taken the Ring.