Overview

• Andy Serkis will direct the project and also reprise his role as Gollum.
• Peter Jackson returns as producer, with Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens writing alongside Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou, and Zane Weiner supporting production.
• The story is set between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring, focusing on Sméagol/Gollum and a search for him by Gandalf and Aragorn, as reported.
• McKellen said principal photography is slated for May 2026, with outlets reporting a December 17, 2027 release target and a two-part production plan.
• Warner Bros. Discovery has designated the film a priority project, while additional casting — including any returns for Elijah Wood or Viggo Mortensen — remains unconfirmed.