A new Lord of the Rings spinoff movie focusing on Gollum is set to release in 2026. Directed by Andy Serkis, the film may feature returning characters from the original trilogy, such as Gandalf and Aragorn. Serkis hints that the movie will dive deeply into Gollum's character and his experiences in Middle-earth, possibly leading to a darker tone. The story is expected to take place between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, potentially involving characters like the elves and the forces of Mordor. Although the current title, The Hunt for Gollum, has not been well-received, Serkis assures fans that it could change. This spinoff is part of a broader push for new Middle-earth content, with upcoming releases including The War of the Rohirrim anime movie and Amazon's The Rings of Power season 2.

Which characters are rumored to return in the new Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum movie?n

The characters rumored to possibly return include Gandalf, played by Ian McKellen, and Aragorn, played by Viggo Mortensen. Both actors have expressed interest in coming back for the project.

Set between the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, the new Gollum-centric movie explores Middle-earth through Gollum's eyes. This timeline allows for the inclusion of various familiar characters and factions, like the elves and the forces of Mordor, who historically searched for Gollum to extract information about the One Ring. Andy Serkis, renowned for his role as Gollum in the original trilogy, will direct the film, adding layers to the character’s complex narrative.