Warner Bros' New Lord Of The Rings Movie Already Happened 15 Years Ago

Summary The Hunt For Gollum movie, set for release in 2026, will delve into a story surrounding Gandalf's investigation into the Ring of Power.

A fan film titled The Hunt For Gollum explored similar events in 2009, offering valuable insights for the upcoming official movie.

The 2026 movie has the potential to re-establish Gollum as a menacing figure, learning from the fan film's portrayal.

An upcoming addition to The Lord of the Rings franchise will tell a story previously unseen in Peter Jackson's adaptations, yet the movie's plot was actually the basis for another project 15 years ago. Set to release in 2026, The Hunt For Gollum will be directed by series-veteran Andy Serkis, with trio Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens returning in producer roles – a reunion that bodes well for the movie's prospects. However, while returning to Middle-earth under the guidance of four of the main players in the original trilogy is exciting, diehard Tolkien fans may well already be familiar with the new film's story.

Set during the events of the original Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Hunt For Gollum takes place at a crucial juncture in the overall narrative. Although the plot's exact details are unknown, it seems all but certain that it will follow the events around Gandalf's investigation into Bilbo's ring, his theory that it could be Sauron's Ring of Power, and his quest to apprehend the creature Gollum before Sauron's forces can find him and confirm the location of the Ring. Although glossed over in the films, the story has the potential to be an intriguing addition. However, as exciting as it may be, there's a sense in which it is already treading over old ground.

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The Hunt For Gollum Was Already Told In A Lord Of The Rings Fan Film

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Not only does returning to this particular period in The Lord of the Rings' timeline feel like a slight rehash of previously seen ideas and characters, but the story itself (if it progresses along the lines the title suggests) has actually already been adapted. In 2009, a fan film created by writer-director Chris Bouchard (also titled The Hunt For Gollum) explored the story's events – chronicling Gandalf's discussions with Aragorn, Gollum's apprehension, and his transportation to Mirkwood.

Despite being completely unofficial and unaffiliated with the Tolkien estate or New Line Cinema, the 2009 Hunt For Gollum is an interesting addition to The Lord of the Rings saga. Made on a microscopic budget, the movie uses the limited information provided by Tolkien's appendices to bring the episode to life. Despite making some minor changes (such as having Gollum's capture take place in a forest instead of the canonical Dead Marshes), it is incredibly loyal to Tolkien's material, and therefore portrays the incident pretty accurately. As a result, it provides some interesting insight into what Warner Bros. movie might be like.

What 2009's The Hunt For Gollum Reveals About Warner Bros' New Movie

Since it is unknown what the 2026 movie will include from the story (or whether it is even about the incident – whatever the title implies), any information the 2009 Hunt For Gollum provides is purely speculative. That said, if the movie does follow the basic outline of Tolkien's story, the fan film could provide some valuable information. A key detail is that the movie will likely involve popular returning characters. The 2009 Hunt For Gollum features Aragorn, Gandalf, and Arwen – as well as the titular antagonist – suggesting that all three figures could return for the official 2026 version.

The involvement of these characters raises several questions about the production. While Andy Serkis is confirmed to be reprising his role, it is unclear whether the likes of Viggo Mortensen, Ian McKellen, and Liv Tyler will also make a return to the franchise – over two decades since they all appeared together. The fan film also suggests that The Hunt From Gollum will provide more details on Aragorn's life as a ranger and on the relationship between the elves of Mirkwood and the rest of Middle-earth following the Battle of the Five Armies. Details like these could make it a valuable addition to the canon.

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2009's Fan Film Justifies Warner Bros Turning Gollum's Story Into A Movie

Given the lukewarm reaction to Amazon Prime Video's lavish The Lord of the Rings series, as well as Peter Jackson's own Hobbit trilogy, more stories from Middle-earth may strike some as over-indulgent. However, there's more than enough material in the 2009 Hunt For Gollum fan film to suggest that the 2026 movie will be worthwhile. The 39-minute movie's adherence to Tolkien's vision allows the story to add depth and texture to Middle-earth, explaining how key characters like Aragorn and Gandalf develop as the original movies progress.

Throughout the movie, Gollum skulks in the shadows, a murderous presence discussed in hushed tones by terrified villagers.

While Gollum is one of the most recognizable characters from the franchise, he has become a parody of himself as the movies have progressed. His ambiguous morality and occasionally comic persona – combined with Andy Serkis' oft-imitated performance – have made him a figure of fun. The 2009 Hunt For Gollum fixes this. Throughout the movie, Gollum skulks in the shadows, a murderous presence discussed in hushed tones by terrified villagers. Even if it's retreading old ground, The Lord of the Rings' 2026 movie can reestablish Gollum as a genuinely threatening villain by learning from the fan film's example.