Warner Bros. Discovery has officially announced that it will return to Middle Earth with new films of The Lord of the rings, whose script development is in the early stages. During the first quarter earnings conference call, CEO David Zaslav revealed that the company anticipates the launch of these films for the year 2026, with the intention of exploring untold stories within this universe.
The first film, under the seal of New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures, will be titled The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum (WT) and will have Andy Serkis not only as a protagonist but also as a director. The filmmakers Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, who have been fundamental parts in the previous film adaptation of this saga, will be involved in every step of the creation of these new installments, being Walsh and Boyens who will write the script. This new project will span two films within the franchise.
The vision is to “explore stories yet to be told,” indicating a broadening and deep exploration of the rich literary universe created by JRR Tolkien. In this regard, Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy, leaders of the study, have shared: “We are honored that [Jackson, Walsh y Boyens] “have agreed to be our partners in these two new films.” This sentiment highlights the continuity and respect for Tolkien’s legacy, which has been characteristic of previous adaptations.
Regarding Serkis’ direction, his excitement and commitment to the project is noteworthy. “The time has come once again to venture into the unknown with my dear friends,” expressed Serkis, which anticipates a delivery full of passion and dedication.
To carry out this project, Warner Bros. Discovery sealed an agreement with the rights holders, Embracer Group ABmore than a year ago, to develop new films based on the book series by JRR Tolkien. The contribution of Jackson, Walsh and Boyens has been celebrated by WBD’s film bosses, Pam Abdy and Michael DeLucawho highlighted the trio’s devotion to protecting the legacy of Tolkien’s works and his vision of giving audiences the magnificent experience of the world he created.
Furthermore, it was mentioned that amazon is developing its own television universe based on the franchise, which could lead to competing visions of Middle-earth. However, the news that Jackson, Boyens and Walsh will be involved in the new film franchise will likely alleviate any concerns loyal fans might have.
The previous films based on Tolkien’s work, directed by Jackson, achieved unprecedented success, with the original trilogy of The Lord of the rings and the subsequent trilogy based on The Hobbitraising almost 3 billion dollars each at a global level. These achievements highlight the enormous popularity and cultural impact of these adaptations, which have been worthy of multiple awards, including 17 Academy trophies out of a total of 30 nominations, highlighting best film for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
This new project represents not only a return to the rich world created by Tolkien, but also a promise of exploration and delving into its lesser-known elements, led by key personalities who have demonstrated great devotion and respect for this literary and cinematographic legacy. According to the team behind this new story, “It is an honor and a privilege to travel back to Middle Earth.”; a statement that will surely resonate with fans around the world, eager to experience new adventures in this fascinating universe.
Meanwhile, the original trilogy of films, which won numerous Oscars, will soon return to theaters in remastered and extended versions, anticipating the growing interest and continued relevance of The Lord of the rings in popular culture.
