The Hunt for Gollum: Everything we know! And everything we suspect!

The Lord of the Rings was and remains a milestone in cinematic history that changed the industry forever. The Hobbit trilogy simmers on a much smaller flame in terms of pop-culture impact, though it did rake in roughly the same amount of money—at significantly higher costs, but whatever. The Prime Video series The Rings of Power is still hard to place, but let’s just say: it’s complicated. Especially since it has nothing to do with the previous Middle-earth films. This is in stark contrast to The Hunt for Gollum, which is set to hit theaters in December 2027 and, as far as we know, will bridge the gap between The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit.

In the following text, I’ll try my hand at being Galadriel’s Mirror, showing things that are, things that were, and some things that have not yet come to pass. Let’s go!

What we know for sure

In May 2024, Warner Bros. Discovery announced that they were working on several new live-action films in The Lord of the Rings universe. The first of these, which we’re discussing here, is logically The Hunt for Gollum. Andy Serkis is the key player as both director and lead actor, but the studios emphasize at every opportunity how much the original "dream team" is involved "every step of the way." This refers, of course, to Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens. Also on board are Phoebe Gittins (Boyens' daughter) and Arty Papageorgiou; the duo previously co-wrote the animated film The War of the Rohirrim.

Rumors quickly spread that The Hunt for Gollum would be a two-parter—a nugget of info Sir Ian McKellen dropped on British TV. Fans weren't surprised, considering the slim children's book The Hobbit was stretched into a trilogy. However, for once, McKellen was wrong. In October 2024, Philippa Boyens clarified: "I can tell you definitively it isn’t two films! That was a genuine misunderstanding that happened because we’ve begun to work, conceptually, on two different live-action films. The first being The Hunt For Gollum, the second one still to be confirmed."

In the same interview, Boyens contextualized the timeline: "It’s quite an intense story, which falls after the birthday party of Bilbo and before the Mines Of Moria. It’s a specific chunk of incredible untold story, told through the perspective of this incredible creature." Though, we can now say with some conviction that it will likely cover more than just that timespan—but more on that in a moment.

Sidebar: The Legal Situation

If you’re into that sort of thing, here’s a quick paragraph on the rights: Back in February 2023, Warner execs Michael De Luca and Pamela Abdy announced a deal for multiple new films based on Tolkien’s books. These films are being produced, as before, by New Line Cinema (which belongs to Warner since 2008). The adaptation rights, however, came from—and here’s where it gets unnecessarily complicated—Freemode, a part of the Embracer Group. They created a subsidiary for the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings rights called Tolkien Enterprises, which was quickly renamed Middle-earth Enterprises. They were the ones who brokered the deal. Is your head spinning? Then I recommend the book Anything You Can Imagine: Peter Jackson and the Making of Middle-Earth by Ian Nathan; back then, it was even wilder.

Gollum, Gandalf, Frodo … Aragorn?

Who’s in The Hunt for Gollum? It was clear from the start that Andy Serkis wouldn’t just direct but also reprise his iconic role. In August 2025, Sir Ian McKellen joined the conversation during a fan panel, pulling one of his classic "McKellen moves" by casually revealing that both Frodo and Gandalf will make an appearance. Elijah Wood waited until January 2026 to comment evasively without denying his involvement. So, their participation is about as certain as second breakfast in the Shire.

But what about other returnees? After years of rumors about a "Young Aragorn" movie (Aragorn being perhaps the most prominent figure in the titular hunt), calls for Viggo Mortensen were immediate. Now, let’s be real: Viggo Mortensen isn't exactly the type to return to an old role just for a paycheck or popularity. HOWEVER, we know that the filmmakers have spoken with him, and given the right approach, he hasn't categorically ruled it out. He did mention, though, that the role would have to fit his current age; I don’t see him going for a full digital facelift. Then again, VFX nerds Andy Serkis and Peter Jackson probably have zero qualms about using every tool in the shed—which brings me to Orlando Bloom.

Bloom already returned as Legolas for The Hobbit trilogy and was digitally de-aged back then. More importantly: he wants to come back! Reports say he reached out to Andy Serkis personally and said on the Today Show that he’d "hate to see anyone else" as Legolas. Story-wise, Legolas would be easy to include, as Gollum eventually ends up with the Wood-elves. Philippa Boyens also mentioned she had lunch with an "Elf Lord." She likely didn't mean Bloom, though, seeing that Legolas isn't exactly a "Lord". She probably met with Lee Pace (Thranduil) or Marton Csokas (Celeborn). I’d rule out a return for Hugo Weaving as Elrond, given the actor’s past comments.

The Hunt for Gollum

Before I dive fully into the realm of speculation, let’s briefly trace Gollum’s path between losing the One Ring and meeting the Fellowship:

About two years after Bilbo returns to the Shire, a hateful Gollum leaves the Misty Mountains to find his "thief." His path first leads him to Mirkwood and Dale, where he spends a lot of time eavesdropping on people. He initially intended to head toward the Shire but suddenly turned south—possibly because he sensed Gandalf was on his tail?

Regardless, he ends up in Mordor, probably lured by rumors of a rising Sauron. If I’m reading the timeline correctly, it takes him nearly 30 years to actually arrive! Once there, he discovers the Stairs of Cirith Ungol in the Mountains of Shadow (which he later shows Frodo and Sam). He also meets the giant spider Shelob and... "befriends" her. Upon entering the inner parts of Mordor, he is captured by Sauron's forces and tortured until the Dark Lord knows everything about the Ring and "Baggins."

Hoping Gollum will lead him to the Ring, Sauron lets him go. Shortly after, Gollum is snatched by Aragorn in the Dead Marshes and interrogated by Gandalf before being handed over to Thranduil. Following an Orc raid on the Wood-elves, Gollum escapes and flees into the Mines of Moria. There, he gets stuck behind the Doors of Durin, trapped in the dark until the Fellowship arrives.

What’s it about #1: The Interrogation and Young Aragorn

That is the rough "known" history of Gollum. It’s possible the film focuses strictly on the hunt itself. But statements from Philippa Boyens, Peter Jackson, and Andy Serkis suggest a much larger scope—Jackson called it a "bridge" between his two trilogies. This isn't surprising given how many overlaps there are. But what does that mean for the plot? A few ideas:

Let’s start with a fan favorite: The Frame Story. It’s long been speculated that Gandalf’s interrogation serves as the frame, with Gollum’s journey told in flashbacks. This would be a way to include Viggo Mortensen as an older Aragorn without needing to make him look twenty again for the whole movie. Sure, a lot of time has passed since LOTR, but it’s easier to touch up Mortensen to look like he did in Fellowship (remember the hood!) than to de-age him by 40 years.

Three thoughts on this:

1. If Aragorn is a major part of the actual "hunt," casting a younger actor seems almost inevitable unless Viggo throws his principles overboard for a full digital scan. But I doubt Serkis wants to juggle two massive digital lead characters (Gollum and Aragorn) anyway.
2. A new actor for Aragorn could serve as a "test drive" for the audience—potentially opening the door for the solo Aragorn movie people have theorized about for years. This could cover the journeys of "Strider" and could show how he ended up befriending Legolas. Maybe that’s the second live-action film Boyens mentioned?
3. Personally, I’m not a fan of the frame story idea because they already did it with The Hobbit and it feels a bit like overkill. Just my two cents.

What’s it about #2: Khazad-dûm and other Side Quests

Peter Jackson did mention that The Hunt for Gollum would serve as a bridge between his two trilogies. And the most famous bridge in all of Middle-earth is the Bridge of Khazad-dûm! The actual bridge is not that important, but the Mines of Moria might play a massive role. We know Gollum spent a lot of time there. Why not show the end of Balin’s ill-fated expedition? Remember: Balin was one of Bilbo's companions who tried to recolonize the dwarf city. His expedition was overrun by Orcs—the grim result we see in The Fellowship of the Ring.

Other bridges include the locations around Mordor. The film could show us Gollum discovering the secret stair and meeting Shelob. These locations would be perfect to show Sauron’s growing power. This era also includes several attacks on Gondor, though I don’t necessarily expect Boromir or Faramir to show up. I also doubt we’ll see Saruman’s gradual fall to Sauron; while it fits the timeline, I think the filmmakers have enough respect for the late Sir Christopher Lee to leave that alone.

Viggo Mortensen himself mentioned another possibility for Aragorn to show up: unused footage from The Lord of the Rings showing him meeting Arwen. "I am in this place, this field, and I remember being there with her…no beard, longer hair, dressed more like an elf, when I lived with the elves. And that’s when they meet. And they could use that, and shoot other things. They’re pretty creative. I’d be glad to do it, as long as they’re respectful to Tolkien. I’d rather do it myself than see another actor finish the job for me." Alternatively, instead of Aragorn, we might see the Dúnedain Rangers whom Aragorn tasked with guarding the Shire.

Unlikely but possible: A return of Tauriel. Jackson and Boyens both mentioned her name when asked which Hobbit thread they’d like to revisit. However, she isn't exactly a fan favorite, and Evangeline Lilly is currently retired from acting. Even more unlikely is the fan theory that we’ll see Frodo’s adoption by Bilbo—that adds nothing to a Gollum movie or the Lord of the Rings epic. Which brings me to my final point:

Is this even a good idea?

The obvious answer: it depends. Generally, I’m of the mind that more material is nice—if it’s nice. If a good idea is executed well. To me, The Hunt for Gollum could be a great "bridge" movie as long as it doesn’t try to be one. I’m hoping for something standalone that tells a focused story and only fills gaps in the margins. If it starts trying to tie up every tiny loose thread from The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings, we’ll end up with the "Star Wars effect": it becomes demystified.

The Lord of the Rings is a masterpiece because Peter Jackson focused on the essentials. He stayed close to the characters and let them exist in a vast world without constantly explaining its rich history. I don’t need every second of the 60 years between the trilogies explained to me. Furthermore, the original trilogy still works because of the mix of practical and digital effects. Some scenes are still breathtaking because they are real. Whether The Hunt for Gollum will follow that path is something I doubt—Jackson and Serkis love technology too much. I just hope they don't overdo it.

For me, The Hunt for Gollum has to add something to the staggering 24 hours of existing material without taking anything away. We don't need to "preview" every cool moment from the original films. Every day, people discover Lord of the Rings for the first time. They should have the chance to marvel at the Balrog when they see it for the first time—in The Fellowship of the Ring, not in The Hunt for Gollum.