We’ve learned Lord of the Rings: Hunt for Gollum, the new spinoff film directed and starring Andy Serkis as the titular creature, has been delayed to 2027.

Serkis made an appearance at Fan Expo Vancouver 2025 and was naturally asked for an update on the new spinoff film, only to confirm a delay.

“Yeah, it is not 2026,” Serkis said at the expo (via The Direct). “It was originally going to be December 2026. It is going to be December 2027.”

Serkis talked up the new spinoff film and revealed the film has just begun the writing process, and there are plans for production to start next year, in 2026.

 “We are right at the beginning of the writing process. We will be prepping later this year. Prep takes a good chunk of time, six or seven months, and then we will be shooting next year. So, it backs into that December 2027 release date.”

The new spinoff film is focused entirely on the titular creature Gollum from J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary series, though it remains to be seen when the film takes place.

Further details on the spinoff film weren’t confirmed, though we know Sir Ian McKellen was asked to return as Gandalf for the film.