Warner Bros. Discovery has taken legal action that has resulted in the removal of the fan film “The Hunt for Gollum” from YouTube, coinciding with the announcement of its new official film “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum,” scheduled for premiere in 2026. This independent short film, which had been accessible since 2009 and accumulated more than 13 million views, was withdrawn due to copyright claims.
The short, which enjoyed considerable popularity, explored the “Lord of the Rings” universe centered on the character of Gollum, originally played by Andy Serkis. Warner Bros.’ action has caused a negative reaction among fans of the saga, who have expressed their discontent on social networks, some requesting the return of the video and others criticizing the company for what they consider a tactic to maximize the income . of the franchise.
David Zaslav, CEO of Warner Bros. Discovery, confirmed that the new film will be directed by Andy Serkis and will seek to add a new chapter to the legendary film series. Meanwhile, the fan community mourns the loss of a creative tribute that many valued for its homage to Tolkien’s work.
UPDATE
Due to the wave of criticism that Warner has received with the action, it seems that they have backed down and the short is available again.
