‘The Rings of Power’ Future Just Got a Huge Update — What It Means for Middle-earth Next

Prime Video’s The Rings of Power is already planning ahead, and new production updates suggest the fantasy series is moving toward a much bigger long-term future in Middle-earth.

According to reporting from industry coverage and production details shared by Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, work is now being lined up for a potential fourth season even before the third season has premiered.

The third season of The Rings of Power is currently scheduled to arrive in November, and it will continue the story of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Second Age. Even though season four has not been officially greenlit, early planning is already underway. The UK-based production is reportedly preparing preproduction work for a fourth season later this year, with filming expected to begin in early 2027 if everything moves forward as planned.

Prime Video has not confirmed the renewal yet, but the platform has continued to show strong support for the series. The show is one of Amazon’s biggest global productions and is based on Tolkien’s appendices from The Lord of the Rings universe. The streamer has previously stated that the series has reached more than 185 million viewers worldwide, and Amazon MGM Studios has described it as one of its most successful titles.

Season three is set to move the story forward by several years from the events of season two. It will take place during the height of the War of the Elves and Sauron. At this stage of the story, Sauron is working on building his power and preparing to forge the One Ring, which will later become the key to controlling Middle-earth. The new season is expected to focus on this growing conflict and the rising tension across different kingdoms.

If production continues as expected, season four would likely arrive around 2028. This timeline fits with the pattern of previous seasons, which have had long production and post-production cycles due to the scale of the show. When Amazon first secured the rights to Tolkien’s Second Age material in 2017, it reportedly made a five-season commitment, meaning the story is still planned to continue beyond the upcoming seasons.

At the same time, Middle-earth is expanding on the film side as well. Warner Bros. is developing new projects based on Tolkien’s Third Age material. One of the most notable upcoming films is The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, directed by Andy Serkis and scheduled for release in December 2027.

The film will feature returning actors such as Ian McKellen as Gandalf and Elijah Wood as Frodo, alongside Serkis as Gollum. It takes place between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and follows a search for Gollum before Sauron’s forces can find him.

Other projects are also in development, including The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past, which Peter Jackson has been involved with. Jackson has also spoken about exploring more of Tolkien’s wider writings, including The Silmarillion, saying there is still a lot of material that could be adapted into films.

With both television and film projects expanding at the same time, The Lord of the Rings franchise is set to remain a major presence in fantasy storytelling for years to come.

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