- Primary Subject: The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum
- Key Update: Warner Bros. and director Andy Serkis have officially commenced filming in New Zealand on the new Middle-earth film.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: July 15, 2026
- Quick Answer: Production has officially begun on The Hunt for Gollum, with director Andy Serkis releasing a set video showcasing his return to the iconic motion-capture role.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum has finally started filming, and Andy Serkis revealed the first sneak peek at its production.
The Middle-earth franchise is returning to the big screen with a new installment that will explore the origins of Gollum and his perspective on the events of The Fellowship of the Ring. Fans have been looking forward to the film since it will bring back some of the creative team and actors from the original trilogy.
Now, the cameras have started rolling.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum Reveals Sneak Peek on Its Filming
Warner Bros. confirmed that filming for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum has finally started in New Zealand, and they released a sneak peek video from the set.
The video featured director and star Andy Serkis on set on set as he flipped through the script and asked a nearby production assistant, "What are we gonna start with?"
Wearing a motion-capture suit, he then dropped into a spider-like crouch, hunched his shoulders, and curled his lips into the character's famous feral snarl. After a shout of "Action!", the teaser cut to a cinematic drone shot of New Zealand's rugged mountains.
While this may not be a sneak peek at the film itself, it is still an exciting announcement for fans who have been looking forward to the installment since it is now officially happening, and they can expect its release next year.
It might also be comforting them to see Serkis wear the motion-capture suit again and reprise the role of Gollum, who has become his most iconic character and one of the fan-favorites in the franchise.
For now, stay tuned for potentially more news and behind-the-scenes sneak peek on the film in the coming months.
What to Expect in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum
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Drawing heavily from J.R.R. Tolkien’s footnotes, the story of The Hunt for Gollum bridges the gap between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring. It tracks Aragorn’s dangerous mission to find Gollum before Sauron can extract the Ring's whereabouts from him.
Returning from the previous films are Andy Serkis (as Gollum/Smeagol), Ian McKellen (as Gandalf), Elijah Wood (as Frodo Baggins), and Lee Pace (as Thranduil). Joining the cast are Kate Winslet (as Marigol), Leo Woodall (as Halvard), Jamie Dornan (taking over the role of Aragorn), and Anya Taylor-Joy.
The film is currently slated for release in theaters on December 17, 2027. Production will take place in New Zealand.
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