Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema are embarking on a new journey in the Lord of the Rings universe, starting with the upcoming film tentatively titled The Hunt for Gollum. This project will be followed by additional untitled films in the future. Writer Philippa Boyens recently addressed some misconceptions regarding The Hunt for Gollum, clarifying that it will not be divided into two separate films. "I can confirm definitively that it is not two films," she stated in an interview with Empire. This clarification was necessary due to a "genuine misunderstanding" stemming from comments made by Ian McKellen in September. McKellen had mentioned being informed about two new Lord of the Rings films, which led the internet to incorrectly assume that The Hunt for Gollum would be a two-part series, despite McKellen's comments not specifying this.
Boyens revealed that she is currently working on two distinct live-action films, with The Hunt for Gollum being the first and another project yet to be announced. While details about the subsequent film remain undisclosed, potential characters for future films include Aragorn, Gandalf, and Galadriel. Although information about The Hunt for Gollum is limited, Boyens hinted that it is a "quite intense story." Set after Bilbo's 111th birthday party and before the Mines of Moria sequence in Peter Jackson's original trilogy, the film will explore an untold story from Gollum's perspective.
Following Bilbo's party, Gandalf discovers that Bilbo's ring is the One Ring and subsequently enlists Aragorn's help to track down Gollum and prevent him from revealing the ring's location. Andy Serkis, who portrayed Gollum in the original Peter Jackson films, will reprise his role and also direct the film. Jackson, along with Boyens and Fran Walsh, the Oscar-winning team behind the original Lord of the Rings films, will return for The Hunt for Gollum. Warner Bros. Discovery is aiming for a 2026 release.
While fans may have to wait for The Hunt for Gollum, the next Lord of the Rings film, The War of the Rohirrim, is set to hit theaters this December. This animated film will delve into the story of Helm Hammerhand (Brian Cox) and Princess Hera (Gaia Wise). On the television front, Prime Video's The Rings of Power recently concluded its second season. Although not officially renewed for a third season, it is expected to be confirmed soon.
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