New The Lord of The Rings film announced by Peter Jackson, coming 2026

This is an unexpected but joyous surprise. A new live-action The Lord of the Rings film is on the way with director Peter Jackson set to return, this time in a producing role.

The news was announced by Warner Bros. Discovery’s David Zaslav who confirmed that the project would land in 2026, so we really don’t have too long to wait at all.

The project will be written by Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens with an early script already in development.

As for a title, it's set to be called The Hunt For Gollum and wait for this ... Gollum himself Andy Serkis is on board as the film's director.

Zaslav said he was excited to work with Jackson, Walsh and Boyens adding that the trio will “be involved every step of the way”.

Let’s hope it’s better than last year’s video game entry The Lord of the Rings: Gollum.

Talking about his own involvement, Serkis said: "Yesssss, Precious. The time has come once more to venture into the unknown with my dear friends, the extraordinary and incomparable guardians of Middle Earth Peter, Fran and Philippa. With Mike and Pam, and the Warner Bros team on the quest as well, alongside WETA and our filmmaking family in New Zealand, it’s just all too delicious."

Unfortunately, that’s about all the details we have for now.

Zaslav went on to add that he felt Warner Bros’ major franchises like The Lord of the Rings, DC, and Harry Potter were “underused” and this was just one step to remedy that.

I wouldn’t go as far as saying underused myself but I’m excited to see Peter Jackson return to the helm of this franchise nonetheless.

Zaslav’s comment fits with what we're seeing happen with the Harry Potter franchise.

In case you missed it, a TV remake is in the works at HBO with each season reportedly focusing on a different book.

Back when the project was announced, many questioned if there was a need to remake what is arguably one of the most successful film series of all-time.

If Zaslav feels Harry Potter is underused though, you can see the intention of the project.

Personally, I’d like to see an original Wizarding World idea explored but after the disaster that was Fantastic Beasts, I don’t think that’ll happen anytime soon.

It’s a shame because the original Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film showed great promise.

DC is already underway with its major reboot with David Corenswet set to kick off the relaunched DCU with his take on Superman.

It’ll be exciting to see who’ll be joining the cast of this The Lord of the Rings project, alongside the returning Serkis as Gollum.