We’ve come to it at last folks, the Lord of the Rings film franchise is officially expanding…

Last night, Warner Bros CEO David Zaslav officially announced that new 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 move comes almost twenty years after the release of Peter Jackson’s epic trilogy (2001-03) which grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide, and won a combined seventeen Academy Awards (including eleven for the closing chapter, The Return of the King). Additionally, Jackson went on to direct a prequel trilogy (2012-14) based on the Hobbit that made more money despite mixed reviews.

The new projects will be developed through Warner Bros studio New Line Cinema, who previously produced Jackson’s colossal trio of films.

While Amazon owns the television rights to Tolkien’s work, Swedish company Embracer Group bought the rights to Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit films, games, merchandise, theme parks and live productions in 2022.

In a statement, Lee Guinchard, CEO of Freemode said:

“Following our recent acquisition of Middle-earth Enterprises, we’re thrilled to embark on this new collaborative journey with New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures, bringing the incomparable world of J.R.R. Tolkien back to the big screen in new and exciting ways.

We understand how cherished these works are and working together with our partners at New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures, we plan to honor the past, look to the future, and adhere to the strongest level of quality and production values.”

No filmmakers have been attached to the projects as yet, though Jackson and his main Lord of the Rings collaborators Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens said Warner Bros. and Embracer had kept them in the loop every step of the way.

“We look forward to speaking with them further to hear their vision for the franchise moving forward.”

However, the announcement has already brought mixed reactions from loyal fans, with some still struggling to get to grips with Amazon’s expensive yet underwhelming spin-off series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

As an avid Rings fan, the only thing I can say right now is, “I wish it need not have happened in my time”.