The first teaser for The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum has been released, giving fans an early look at the upcoming return to Middle-earth.

The footage shows Andy Serkis inside a motion-capture studio as production begins on the new film. Serkis is returning to portray Gollum and is also directing the project.

The teaser focuses on the start of production rather than revealing major story details, but it confirms that work on the film is officially underway.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is scheduled to arrive in theaters on December 17, 2027.