Tolkien fans listen up: Today we are taking you on a fantastic journey through Middle-earth, as another live-action film adaptation based on the world of "The Lord of the Rings" is on the way. It is called "The Hunt for Gollum" and, as the title suggests, will tell a story from Gollum's perspective. In this Original episode, we reveal all the information about the storyline, the potential cast and the production of the fantasy blockbuster. Enjoy!

What is "The Hunt for Gollum" About?

According to initial theories, the plot of "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum" takes place between Bilbo's 111th birthday and Frodo's journey to Rivendell, meaning it is set at the same time as the events in "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring". After Gollum loses the ring to Bilbo in "The Hobbit", Gandalf learns of Gollum's existence and recognizes the danger posed by the creature. He commissions the ranger Aragorn to find Gollum in order to prevent the former ring-bearer from giving Sauron valuable information about the whereabouts of the ring and its new owner Bilbo. Gollum himself learns of the Ring's whereabouts in the City of Dale and sets off for Mordor, thinking he will find some help and friends there. He eventually falls into the hands of Sauron's henchmen and is then captured and tortured. In the process, he reveals that the ring is in the Shire with a hobbit called Baggins, thus setting the events of "The Fellowship of the Ring" in motion.

The movie will shed light on Gollum's journey to Mordor and his backstory. Peter Jackson also announced that the movie will be based on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien and will show aspects of Gollum's personality and adventures that have not been shown yet.

Cast and Crew

Andy Serkis, who already brought Gollum to life in the original trilogy and the first "Hobbit" movie, will not only take on the titular role one more time, but will also act as director and executive producer. At his side are Peter Jackson, his wife Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens and others. According to Warner boss David Zaslav, the trio will be involved in each step of the production.

Although there is still no definite information about the rest of the cast, several actors have already declared their interest in returning to their roles. Among them is Aragorn actor Viggo Mortensen, who attached one condition to his potential involvement: the script must be convincing. We might also see the return of Ian McKellen as Gandalf and Cate Blanchett in her role as Galadriel. McKellen has already announced that Gandalf is to be part of the movie and that there are no plans to recast the old wizard. However, the filmmakers need to hurry - after all, he's not getting any younger. If necessary, the characters could also be cast with new faces. However, it is questionable whether this would meet with the fans' approval.

Is There a Release Date?

"The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum" will be released in 2026. Judging by the previous movies set in Middle-earth, it is likely that it will be released around Christmas time. We'll keep you up to date!

More Projects from the "The Lord of the Rings" Universe

Anyone who wants to bridge the time until the theatrical release of "The Hunt for Gollum" could possibly enjoy "The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim", which is due to be released in cinemas on December 13 this year. The anime movie is set 260 years before the events of "The One Ring" and focuses on the war of the Rohirrim against the Dunlendings. Amazon's "The Rings of Power" is currently in its second season as well and a fan film for "The Hunt for Gollum" is also available for watching on YouTube.