Warner Bros. recently revealed that the 2026 release of “Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum,” produced by Peter Jackson, was on its way. However, they also initiated a copyright claim against an earlier fan-made movie with the same title, which had been accessible on YouTube for 15 years.
Andy Serkis, well-known for his role as Gollum, will direct and star in a new movie with the same name that will premiere on May 9, 2024, according to a recent announcement from Warner Bros. This title had previously been associated with a 2009 fan production by Independent Online Cinema, which had gathered over 13.6 million views before being removed.
Currently, attempts to watch the movie result in an error message on its YouTube page stating that Warner Bros. Entertainment has blocked the video for copyright reasons.
This situation has left fans of “The Lord of the Rings” torn between their anticipation for the upcoming movie and their disappointment with Warner Bros. for eliminating a beloved piece from their fan community.
On Reddit, users expressed their discontent by saying, “These greedy folks are just like Smaug, hoarding every penny. The video had already reached 13 million views and had been peacefully online for many years.” IGN has contacted Warner Bros. for a response.
“The Hunt for Gollum” is set to be the first of two forthcoming live-action films from the Lord of the Rings series. David Zaslav, the CEO and president of Warner Bros., remarked that the franchise was “largely underused,” adding that his team is actively working to expand upon it.
The Lord of the Rings saga continues to expand across the entertainment industry, with Amazon releasing “The Rings of Power” TV series in 2022 on Prime Video. The show confirmed a second season before the first had even premiered, and a third season has already been announced ahead of the second season’s release.
When was the hunt for Gollum?
Warner Bros. is set to expand The Lord of the Rings series with two new films, one of which is “The Hunt for Gollum.” This surge in new material also includes the second season of Prime Video’s “The Rings of Power” and the animated feature “The War of the Rohirrim,” both scheduled for release later this year. The introduction of “The Hunt for Gollum” hasn’t been smooth, however, as the studio encountered backlash for the copyright removal of a 15-year-old fan production sharing the same title.
Recent actions by Warner Bros. have sparked controversy, following their cancellation of the completed “Batgirl” film and the delay of “Coyote vs. Acme.” The decision to pull the long-standing fan-created film marks another contentious move in their effort to rejuvenate The Lord of the Rings on the big screen. This could potentially alienate fans, dissuading them from supporting the new movie due to their dissatisfaction with the treatment of the fan project.
Set to debut on December 13, 2024, “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” is an upcoming animated movie that explores the legacy of Helm’s Deep and its legendary leader, King Helm Hammerhand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Peter Jackson making a new Lord of the Rings movie?
Peter Jackson and Andy Serkis are working on a new Lord of the Rings film, which will be released in 2026, according to reports.
Is there a new Lord of the Rings movie coming out?
Los Angeles, May 9 (Reuters) A new edition in the “Lord of the Rings” film series, one of the most successful film franchises of all time, is set to open in cinemas in 2026.
What is the hunt for Gollum based on?
The Hunt for Gollum is a 2009 British fantasy fan film based on the appendices of J. R. R. Tolkien’s 1954-1955 novel The Lord of the Rings. The film takes place in Middle-earth, where the wizard Gandalf the Grey worries that Gollum may give knowledge about the One Ring to Sauron.
