Warner Bros. Just Gave Fans Their First Real Glimpse Inside the Shire for ‘The Hunt for Gollum’
Middle-earth fans have waited years for confirmation that Peter Jackson’s original trilogy team would actually return to the franchise that made them household names. Every small update, every casting announcement, every teased detail has carried an outsized weight given just how beloved the original films remain more than two decades later.
That anticipation only intensified once production officially got underway earlier this year, with fans hungry for any tangible proof of what the new film might actually look like. Set photos and behind-the-scenes glimpses have trickled out sparingly, each one treated as a genuine event by the fandom.
That wait finally paid off in a meaningful way this week, timed fittingly around Hobbit Day. Warner Bros. has released the first official set images from ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum,’ offering fans their clearest look yet at the Shire, complete with fresh-faced Hobbits, director Andy Serkis working behind the scenes, and what appears to be Elijah Wood’s Frodo approaching Bag End’s unmistakable front door.
The images, shared via social media, show the film’s version of the Shire looking every bit as bucolic and lived-in as fans remember from the original trilogy. While Frodo is only shown from behind in the newly released photos, meaning his identity technically hasn’t been officially confirmed by the images alone, the setting and framing leave little doubt about who’s about to walk through that iconic doorway.
Production is currently underway in New Zealand, with Serkis both directing the film and reprising his motion-capture role as Gollum and Sméagol, a character he’s played since 2002’s ‘The Two Towers.’ Speaking previously to Metro about returning to the franchise, Serkis described the project in personal terms. “I’m thrilled to return to the family that I’ve loved working with for many years, and a character that I cannot escape from,” he said.
🚨 BREAKING 🚨 First official set images from The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum We are officially back in the Shire as Andy Serkis directs with fresh faced Hobbits and what appears to be Frodo entering into Bag End https://t.co/jPqk7OzMdc
— The Mellon Heads – LOTR Podcast (@mellon_heads) September 23, 2026
‘The Hunt for Gollum’ takes place before and during the events of ‘The Fellowship of the Ring,’ following Gandalf as he sends Strider on a perilous mission to track down Gollum. Producer Philippa Boyens has previously described the story as taking place specifically after Bilbo’s birthday party and before the Mines of Moria, calling it “quite an intense story” in comments to Empire magazine.
Jackson himself has spoken about why Gollum specifically felt like the right character to build this new chapter around. “The Gollum/Sméagol character has always fascinated me because Gollum reflects the worst of human nature, whilst his Sméagol side is, arguably, quite sympathetic,” he said. “I think he connects with readers and film audiences alike.”
Alongside Wood, Serkis, and Ian McKellen returning as Gandalf, the film brings back Lee Pace as the elf king Thranduil from the Hobbit trilogy. New additions to the ensemble include Jamie Dornan stepping into the role of Strider in place of Viggo Mortensen, along with Kate Winslet, Leo Woodall, and Anya Taylor-Joy rounding out the cast in previously unannounced roles.
🚨 BREAKING: The first look at Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf on the set of “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” has been released. 🎬 pic.twitter.com/slCulgs2vS
— Tolkien Universe (@Tolkienuniverse) September 17, 2026
Jackson, Walsh, and Boyens are all returning as producers on the project, with Warner Bros. Discovery emphasizing that the trio will be “involved every step of the way” to help preserve continuity with the original trilogy’s tone and world-building.
‘The Hunt for Gollum’ was originally targeted for a 2026 release before being pushed back to December 17, 2027. With production now visibly underway and these first images finally in hand, fans have concrete proof the long-awaited return to Middle-earth is genuinely taking shape.
Given how much emotional weight this franchise still carries for longtime fans, these early glimpses of the Shire alone have already generated significant excitement well ahead of the film’s eventual release.
What do you think of the first look at The Hunt for Gollum and the return to the Shire?
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