Kate Winslet has left Pandora for Middle Earth, stepping from the Avatar universe into Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. Details of Winslet’s role haven’t been disclosed. Andy Serkis is directing the film and reprising his role as Gollum, the character who first appeared in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy and returned for The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey.  

The Hunt for Gollum takes place between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogies, and is expected to follow Aragorn and Gandalf as they search for Gollum in hopes of learning more about Bilbo’s ring and preventing him from revealing the ring’s location to Sauron. The film has been scripted by Philippa Boyens, Fran Walsh, Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou. Jackson is producing two Gollum films alongside franchise veterans Walsh and Boyens. Zane Weiner is also producing.

Ian McKellen is returning as Gandalf, while Elijah Wood has hinted he’d return as Frodo Baggins. No word yet on whether Viggo Mortensen will reprise his role as Aragorn, or whether the role might be recast.

Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is set to be released on December 17th, 2027, courtesy of Warner Bros.’ New Line.