New ‘Lords of the Rings’ Movies are Coming, Whether You Want Them or Not

Warner Bros. is diving back into Tolkien’s world with new films on the horizon, including ‘The Hunt for Gollum’ set for 2026 and another mysterious project. Let’s break down everything we know so far.

Middle-earth fans, buckle up—Warner Bros. is officially expanding Tolkien’s cinematic universe once again. Following the recent announcement, Warner Bros. has confirmed the development of new Lord of the Rings films, with Peter Jackson and Andy Serkis both heavily involved. According to Nerdist, the films aim to bring more depth to the Tolkien universe while staying true to the cinematic quality that fans have come to expect. And there’s a big surprise that could bring Ian McKellen back to don the iconic grey robes of Gandalf. Let’s take a deep dive into everything we know so far.

A New Adventure: “The Hunt for Gollum”

Warner Bros. is moving forward with new Lord of the Rings movies, kicking off with “The Hunt for Gollum.” This upcoming film is produced by Peter Jackson and directed by Andy Serkis—yes, the very man who brought Gollum to life in the original trilogy. According to Variety, the movie will expand on Gollum’s story in new ways. Contrary to previous rumors, this project won’t be split into two parts. Instead, it will be a standalone film that focuses solely on Gollum’s untold story. Instead, it will be a standalone film that focuses on Gollum’s untold story.

According to Empire, the film is set to be released in 2026, and production is actively progressing to meet that timeline (Empire). In addition to Serkis’ directorial role, it seems that the core Jackson team (including Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens) will be on board in producing capacities, which suggests an effort to keep the spirit of the original films alive while exploring new facets of the Tolkien mythos.

Ian McKellen’s Possible Return as Gandalf

Perhaps the biggest news for longtime fans is that Ian McKellen might be returning as Gandalf. Speaking to The Big Issue, McKellen revealed that he’d been contacted about reprising the role of Gandalf. Although he hasn’t received a script yet, he remains hopeful:

“I’ve just been told there are going to be more films and Gandalf will be involved, and they hope that I’ll be playing him. When? I don’t know. What the script is? It’s not written yet. So they better be quick!” (Empire)

This aligns with recent reporting from Variety, which notes that McKellen’s return is still in discussion stages. His involvement would certainly add a comforting layer of nostalgia to the film, particularly for those who have been following the franchise since The Fellowship of the Ring in 2001. For now, his return seems dependent on timing and a finalized script, but fans can certainly hope to see the beloved wizard in action once more.

Separating from Amazon’s Middle-earth

It’s important to note that these new films are entirely separate from Amazon’s ongoing “The Rings of Power” series, which explores events of the Second Age. While Amazon has focused on the rise of Sauron and the forging of the rings, Warner Bros.’ new film is expected to delve deeper into the stories surrounding Gollum, potentially elaborating on his life beyond the glimpses we have seen in the original trilogy.

Empire also mentioned that in addition to “The Hunt for Gollum,” Warner Bros. and Peter Jackson are planning more films that will explore untold stories from Tolkien’s universe. Importantly, this upcoming project is not related to Gollum but will be a completely separate film focused on new narratives within Tolkien’s world. According to Variety, Jackson has expressed a desire to dig into lesser-known parts of Tolkien’s world, potentially bringing new characters and storylines to the forefront. These could be entirely new narratives that haven’t been brought to the big screen before, or even tales that pick up after Frodo’s journey (Empire). According to Variety, Jackson has expressed a desire to dig into lesser-known parts of Tolkien’s world, potentially bringing new characters and storylines to the forefront. This could mean entirely new narratives that haven’t been brought to the big screen before, or even tales that pick up after Frodo’s journey (Empire)..

Philippa Boyens Teases Intense Gollum Story

Screenwriter Philippa Boyens recently provided insights into what audiences can anticipate from “The Hunt for Gollum”:

“It’s quite an intense story, which falls after the birthday party of Bilbo and before the Mines of Moria. It’s a specific chunk of incredible untold story, told through the perspective of this incredible creature.” (posted by @FellowshipFans via @empiremagazine on x.com on October 18, 2024)

A Glimpse of What’s to Come

Alongside “The Hunt for Gollum,” there is also the upcoming Jackson-affiliated anime film “The War of the Rohirrim”, which is set to release in late 2024. This project will take audiences into the history of Rohan and its battle-worn people, further broadening the scope of Tolkien’s world. With Warner Bros. revisiting Tolkien’s world across multiple projects, it’s an exciting time for any fan of Middle-earth.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

What are your thoughts on the new Lord of the Rings projects? Are you excited to see Andy Serkis step behind the camera and potentially Ian McKellen back as Gandalf? Drop your thoughts below or find me on social media—let’s keep the conversation alive as we prepare for a return to Middle-earth.

Disclaimer: This is a developing story, and details are subject to change as more official information comes in.

Sources:

• Empire: The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum Could Bring Ian McKellen Back as Gandalf
• Empire: Warner Bros Developing New Lord of the Rings Films for 2026