Warner Bros. has unveiled the first official behind-the-scenes images from the production of The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, offering fans a highly anticipated glimpse of Frodo Baggins returning to the Shire. The studio released the promotional material on its official TikTok page to mark Hobbit Day, the fictional birthday shared by the characters Frodo and Bilbo Baggins.
The promotional images confirm that the upcoming prequel has returned to the bucolic landscape of the Shire, captured on location in Matamata, New Zealand. The location previously served as the visual backdrop for Hobbiton across Peter Jackson's award-winning cinematic trilogies.
A return to Bag End
The most discussed photo from the newly released batch captures a hobbit clad in a familiar brown coat, carrying a walking stick as he approaches the iconic round green door of Bag End. Industry commentators have widely identified the figure as Frodo Baggins, marking the first time the character has been visualized for a live-action project since the conclusion of The Hobbit film series.
However, the first-look asset features a notable technical caveat: the character is framed exclusively from behind, concealing the actor's face. Film analysts suggest the creative choice allows the production team to hide ongoing post-production work. Because the film is a prequel set years before the main events of the original trilogy, digital de-aging technology and machine learning will be utilized during editing to make the cast appear younger on screen.
Actor Elijah Wood is confirmed to reprise his historic role as Frodo Baggins, alongside Sir Ian McKellen, who returns to portray the wizard Gandalf the Grey. The new batch of photos also includes several background hobbits moving through the Shire set, as well as director Andy Serkis working actively behind the camera.
Expanding Tolkien's timeline
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is structured as a direct prequel to the main narrative events of The Fellowship of the Ring. The narrative is drawn primarily from the historical timelines and detailed appendices compiled by author J.R.R. Tolkien.
The plot takes place during the multi-year gap after Gandalf discovers that Bilbo Baggins possesses a ring of power. Recognizing the growing danger of the Dark Lord Sauron, the wizard commissions the ranger Aragorn to track down and capture Gollum. Their objective is to prevent the creature from revealing the precise location of the One Ring to enemy forces.
Because the narrative timeline focuses heavily on the tracking mission across the wilds of Middle-earth, production sources indicate that Frodo Baggins' presence in the story will likely manifest as a brief cameo appearance rather than a primary driving force. Elijah Wood previously expressed deep personal ownership of the role, stating in interviews that he would not want another performer to step into the character's footsteps while he remained able to work.
Creative reunion in New Zealand
Principal photography for the project officially commenced in July 2026 within the established filming hubs of New Zealand. The feature film reunites several foundational members of the original filmmaking crew, with Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens serving as main producers. The screenplay is penned by Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens alongside contemporary writers Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou.
The production has assembled an extensive international ensemble cast. In addition to Andy Serkis, Sir Ian McKellen, and Elijah Wood, the film stars Jamie Dornan as a younger iteration of Strider/Aragorn, Lee Pace reprising his role as the Elvenking Thranduil, and Kate Winslet as a new character named Marigol. Anya Taylor-Joy and Leo Woodall have also joined the production in newly created roles.
Warner Bros. has formally scheduled The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum to debut in global movie theaters on December 17, 2027.
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