Celebrating Our 20th Anniversary!
by Alex Billington
July 14, 2026
Source: YouTube
“Andddd… action!” Here we go, LOTR fans! Warner Bros has released a first look promo video to announce the start of production on the next new LOTR movie. Andy Serkis is now underway filming The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, a prequel connected directly to the original all-timer trilogy of Lord of the Rings movies made by Peter Jackson (from 2001-2003). The original crew is back (including Jackson) producing this new movie, which is being directed by Andy Serkis who is also starring in the movie in the lead role as Gollum. It’s told from the POV of Gollum, set before and during the events of The Fellowship of the Ring, leading up to the Company of the Ring entering the Mines of Moria (which is of course where they first encounter Gollum in those movies). The movie’s cast features Andy Serkis as Gollum / Sméagol, Ian McKellen back as Gandalf the Grey, Kate Winslet as Marigol, Jamie Dornan as Strider, Leo Woodall as Halvard, Lee Pace as Thranduil, Anya Taylor-Joy as the Sindar Elf Seren, plus the original Elijah Wood returning again as Frodo Baggins. Serkis said he couldn’t put Frodo in this movie if it wasn’t Elijah back. I really, really hope this one turns out good. Even though in my opinion we still don’t need to try and make more of these, I am feeling much more confident with Serkis and Jackson and everyone handling this one. Stay tuned for more updates – it’s set for release starting in December 2027 next year. Filming now.
First look “start of production” featurette for Andy Serkis’ LOTR: The Hunt for Gollum, from YouTube:
The Hunt for Gollum is set before and during the events of the film The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), leading up to the Company of the Ring entering the Mines of Moria. It features the Wizard Gandalf sending the ranger Strider to hunt for the creature Gollum. The film is told from Gollum’s perspective. The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum prequel movie is being directed by English actor / filmmaker Andy Serkis, director of the movies Breathe, Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle, Venom: Let There Be Carnage, and Animal Farm previously; he also executive produced Next Goal Wins and “Brilliant Minds” series. The screenplay is written by Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou. Adapted from the original “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy books written by J.R.R. Tolkien. It’s produced by Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh & Philippa Boyens, and Zane Weiner. Made again by New Line Cinema, WingNut Films, and Serkis’ The Imaginarium Studios. The movie is filming in New Zealand on location with James Friend as cinematographer and support from Weta. Warner Bros debuts Serkis’ The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum movie in theaters worldwide starting December 17th, 2027 next year. Excited for this?
