'The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum': Everything We Know as Production Begins

Andy Serkis jumps back into the motion-capture suit to reprise the role of Gollum and into the director's chair for the start of The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum production. Serkis teased the start of production with a first look at the New Zealand set and Serkis' return as Sméagol.    

Middle-earth is calling once again. Warner Bros. has officially kicked off production on The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, marking the return of the beloved fantasy franchise to live-action for the first time since The Hobbit trilogy. 

Eagle-eyed Tolkien fans also deciphered a hidden message in the teaser written in Cirth runes that reads, "Something precious awaits." 

Andy Serkis returns to his iconic role as Gollum while also stepping behind the camera as director. Original Lord of the Rings filmmakers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens are producing as well as contributing to the script, ensuring the new film remains closely tied to the creative team behind the Oscar-winning trilogy. 

Set before the events of The Fellowship of the Ring, the story follows Aragorn's secret mission to track down Gollum before Sauron can learn the whereabouts of the One Ring. The film is expected to explore Gollum's fractured psyche while filling in one of Tolkien's most intriguing untold stories. 

Several familiar faces are returning to Middle-earth, including Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Elijah Wood as Frodo, and Serkis as Gollum. Jamie Dornan joins the franchise as a new Aragorn, while Kate Winslet, Anya Taylor-Joy, Lee Pace, and Leo Woodall round out the expanding cast. 

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is currently slated to arrive in theaters on December 17, 2027, launching a new era of live-action stories set in Tolkien's legendary world.