Peter Jackson to Release New ‘Lord of the Rings’ Movie in 2026
Renowned filmmaker Peter Jackson is set to make a comeback to Middle-earth with Warner Bros.’s latest ‘Lord of the Rings’ projects. The first instalment is slated for a debut in 2026.
Speaking during Warner Bros. Discovery’s Q1 earnings call, CEO David Zaszlav highlighted the monumental potential of the Lord of the Rings franchise, emphasizing the forthcoming films’ aim to delve into unexplored storylines within this beloved universe.
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The initial film, tentatively titled ‘Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum’, will feature Andy Serkis both in a starring role and as the director. Jackson, along with his longtime collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, will play integral roles in the production process, with Boyens and Walsh crafting the script. The trio expressed their enthusiasm for the project in a joint statement, acknowledging the honour of revisiting Tolkien’s mythical realm.
Andy Serkis, known for his portrayal of Gollum in the original trilogy, also shared his excitement for returning to Middle-earth alongside Jackson, Walsh, and Boyens, alongside the Warner Bros. team and other collaborators in New Zealand.
Warner Bros. Discovery executives Pam Abdy and Michael De Luca commended Jackson, Walsh, and Boyens for their unwavering dedication to preserving Tolkien’s legacy, underscoring the commitment to maintaining the integrity of the cinematic universe.
Jackson’s original ‘Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, comprising ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’, ‘The Two Towers’, and ‘The Return of the King’, garnered widespread acclaim and adoration from audiences worldwide. His subsequent directorial venture into ‘The Hobbit’ trilogy further solidified his status as a master storyteller within Tolkien’s universe.
In addition to the new film project, fans can anticipate the release of extended and remastered versions of the original trilogy in theatres this summer, alongside the development of an animated prequel titled ‘The War of the Rohirrim’ under director Kenji Kamiyama.
– Farheen Ali
