©New Line Cinema/Courtesy Evere
Warner Bros. will release the first of its new batch of “The Lord of the Rings” films in 2026.
Original “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy filmmaker Peter Jackson and his writing partners Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens are producing the movie and “will be involved every step of the way” on the unnamed title, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav said during an earnings call Thursday.
The project is currently in the early stages of script development and will “explore storylines yet to be told,” Zaslav said.
The WBD chief added: “‘Lord of the Rings’ is one of the most successful and revered franchises in history and presents a significant opportunity for theatrical business.”
Warner Bros. first announced in February 2023 that then-newly-installed studio leaders Mike De Luca and Pam Abdy had brokered a deal to make “multiple” films based on the beloved J. R. R. Tolkien books. The projects will be developed through WB label New Line Cinema. Freemode, a division of Embracer Group, made the adaptive rights deal for books including “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” under a venture named Middle-earth Enterprises.
The original “Lord of the Rings” trilogy, helmed by Jackson, grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide; Jackson’s follow-up trilogy based on Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” matched those grosses.
Jackson’s first “LOTR” trilogy starred Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, and Cate Blanchett. That trio of films was nominated for 30 Academy Awards and took home 17 trophies, including best picture for 2003’s “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.”
Laura Davis is an entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to Broadway, she offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
