Frodo’s Back! Set Photos From The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum Offer Behind-the-Scenes Look at Prequel Movie
Warner Bros. has released set photos from the upcoming film The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, offering the first look at the production’s recreation of the Shire. The photos were shared on Warner Bros.’ TikTok account as part of Hobbit Day celebrations.
The prequel film is currently in production in New Zealand with a scheduled release date of December 17, 2027. The movie marks the return of Elijah Wood to the role of Frodo Baggins, reprising his iconic character from Peter Jackson’s original film trilogy. Director Andy Serkis, who portrayed Gollum in the original films, will both direct and star in the prequel, taking on the character’s role once again through motion-capture technology.
The released set photos showcase the Shire in its full splendor, featuring hobbits going about their daily lives in the beloved fictional location. The images reveal production details including large pumpkins being transported on carts and scenes of hobbits enjoying leisure activities by ponds. The set recreation appears to maintain the charm and aesthetic of the Shire from the original film trilogy, which debuted 25 years ago.
Though the photos include shots of Frodo from behind, Wood’s face is not clearly visible in the images. Speculation suggests this is because de-aging technology will be applied in post-production to make Wood appear younger for the prequel storyline. This is the first substantial look at the production since earlier summer footage showed Serkis preparing for his motion-capture work as Gollum.