Warner Bros. has released the first official set photos of The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, the long-anticipated prequel to Peter Jackson’s original trilogy, offering fans a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse of the film’s production as shooting continues on the Shire set. The images, shared Wednesday ahead of the franchise’s annual Hobbit Day celebration on September 22, transport audiences back to the pastoral home of the hobbits and confirm the return of one of the series’ most familiar faces: Elijah Wood, who will reprise his role as Frodo Baggins in the film due in theaters on December 17, 2027.
Earlier this summer, the production first caught the public’s eye with a brief teaser of director and star Andy Serkis getting into character while wearing his signature motion-capture suit, a nod to his acclaimed performance as Gollum in the original films. The new set photos, which debuted on TikTok, expand on that initial look by showcasing the idyllic charm of the Shire in full bloom. Hobbits are seen milling about their beloved homeland, giant pumpkins are wheeled in on a cart, and a few of the characters pause to watch ducks in a pond — a scene that captures the same warmth and beauty that defined the first Lord of the Rings movie 25 years ago.
A Familiar Face, Reimagined for a New Era
While the pastoral scenes set a nostalgic tone, the final photograph in the release is the most significant. It captures the back of a hobbit, presumed to be Frodo, heading toward his hobbit hole — a quiet, evocative image that underscores the film’s central theme of return. Wood, now 45, will once again don the role he made famous, though digital de-aging effects will be employed to bring him closer to the younger version audiences remember from decades past. His casting follows the precedent set by Ian McKellen as Gandalf and Serkis as Gollum, both of whom returned to their iconic parts for the prequel.
The returning cast will be joined by a fresh wave of talent, including Kate Winslet as Marigol, Anya Taylor-Joy as the brand-new character Seren, Jamie Dornan as Strider (Aragorn), and Leo Woodall as Halvard. Lee Pace will also reprise his role as Thranduil from the 2010s The Hobbit films, further cementing the connection between the two trilogies.
A Story Cut From the Original Film
The Hunt for Gollum will likely cover the period between Bilbo’s 111th birthday and Gandalf’s return to the Shire — material drawn from the first chapters of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring but deliberately cut from the 2001 film. In the source material, Gandalf enlists Aragorn to track down Gollum so he can learn where Bilbo’s ring came from and whether it was truly the One Ring that Sauron was searching for. This narrative foundation gives the prequel a distinct purpose, expanding the mythology that Jackson’s films so carefully built.
Looking Ahead
If the release dates hold, The Hunt for Gollum will land on December 17, 2027 — the same day Marvel Studios’ Avengers: Secret Wars is slated to hit theaters. That alignment could produce another Barbenheimer-style double feature, echoing this year’s “Dunesday” pairing of Dune: Part Three and Avengers: Doomsday. For now, the Shire remains the film’s most charming asset, and these set photos serve as a fitting tribute as the franchise prepares to revisit Middle-earth.
“The Shire has always been more than a place — it’s a feeling. Seeing it alive again on screen, with the cast we love back in their roles, is a gift to everyone who grew up with these characters.”
Warner Bros. Pictures
As the production moves forward, the combination of returning legends and new faces promises to breathe new life into Tolkien’s world while honoring the legacy that made it a cinematic landmark. Fans will be watching closely to see how the Shire’s timeless charm translates to the screen in this eagerly awaited chapter of the saga.
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