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Serkis Directs “Hunt for Gollum”, Dornan Cast as Aragorn

5/1/2026

42 8 Full Breakdown

Summary

Andy Serkis Directs

Andy Serkis announced that "Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum" will open on Dec. 17, 2027, and that he will direct and reprise Gollum.
Jamie Dornan is cast as Aragorn, replacing Viggo Mortensen, who said he is thrilled.
Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood and Lee Pace return alongside Kate Winslet and Leo Woodall.
Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens are joined by Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou as screenwriters.

Summary

Serkis Revisits Gollum

The film frames the hunt for Gollum as a chase and a psychological probe of Sméagol’s turmoil.
Andy Serkis says the original Lord of the Rings crew is reassembled, production will use practical effects and on-location shooting, and the film is an accessible entry point for newcomers to Middle-earth.
Warner Bros. places the story chronologically between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, bridging a gap in Tolkien’s timeline.

Summary

Serkis Withholds

Andy Serkis told Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast he will not reveal plot details yet.
He said Viggo Mortensen’s departure reason will be shared later and he will not discuss casting beyond the announced leads because filming is about to start.
Filming will begin soon ahead of the Dec 17, 2027 release and Kate Winslet and Leo Woodall will portray new characters Marigol and Halvard.

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Andy Serkis Directs

Andy Serkis announced that "Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum" will open on Dec. 17, 2027, and that he will direct and reprise Gollum.
Jamie Dornan is cast as Aragorn, replacing Viggo Mortensen, who said he is thrilled.
Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood and Lee Pace return alongside Kate Winslet and Leo Woodall.
Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens are joined by Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou as screenwriters.

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