The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is an eagerly anticipated live-action feature directed by and starring Andy Serkis in the titular role. Produced by the original trilogy’s “brain trust” – Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens – it represents a significant comeback to Middle-earth on the big screen.

Set in the period between The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring, the new Lord of the Rings film delves into a “hidden chapter” in which Gandalf and Aragorn pursue Gollum to stop him from disclosing the One Ring’s whereabouts to Sauron.

Unlike its predecessors, The Hunt for Gollum’s narrative is conveyed largely through Gollum’s perspective, characterised as a “psychological drama” and an intense “interior story”.

Andy Serkis reprises his role as Gollum in the film, whilst Sir Ian McKellen has confirmed his return as Gandalf. Elijah Wood is also anticipated to feature as Frodo Baggins.

Whilst Viggo Mortensen has indicated his desire to reprise the role of Aragorn, recent reports suggest the part may be recast in order to portray a younger incarnation of the Ranger.

The film is currently set to make its theatrical debut on December 17th, 2027, with production due to commence in May 2026 in New Zealand.

Whilst some fans are thrilled about the project, others have just three words to say about it – that they ‘have little hope’ for the film.

On a Reddit discussion about the film, one fan confessed: “To me this is starting to feel more and more like some of the OG cast, who have been friends for 20+ years at this point, just want to come back together in New Zealand again, have some fun, and try and recreate the magic.

“I’m not putting any hopes up and I think it’s really not the point, but what they’re making seems to be born out of love and if it’s better than we expect that’s a bonus.”

Another concurred they “have very little hope” for the production.

Whilst a third added: “If it’s about the cast getting back together, they should just do a non-canon sitcom about the four Hobbits as older men living in the Shire. The first episode would start with Frodo making a surprise return from Valinor.”

Numerous fans were also doubtful about 86-year-old Ian McKellen’s comeback as Gandalf.

One individual commented: “I’d go so far as to say Ian McKellen playing Gandalf for this movie is a stretch. The smoothing they did on him in The Hobbit so that he didn’t look older than FOTR Gandalf already looked weird, and that’s years ago now.

“I could see it working if they have McKellen’s Gandalf narrating the story from a later date, but that would have worked to have Viggo in the movie too.”

Another contributed: “Honestly, he looks old and Gandalf is kind of portrayed as older looking. Just let him look old, its better than sore thumb CGI.

“I haven’t read in to anything for the movie but the only way this feels like it could work is if Aragorn and Gandalf are sitting in Minas Tirith going, ‘Hey remember when that scrappy little guy could have destroyed the world?’ before diving into a 2-hour flashback.”

Others also voiced their preferences for an entirely different concept, with one fan commenting: “Absolutely crazy to me that they don’t just make a ‘Days of the King” movie or show where it follows Aragorn into the later days of his rule.

“There you don’t need to worry about the age of actors. Sure you can’t have Gandalf, but at least this would make more sense.”