The Rings of Power Season 4 Is a Go — Filming Set for 2027

Plenty happening in Middle-earth at the moment – and if you thought Amazon would slow down after pouring a fortune into The Rings of Power, think again. We’ve got another season being prepped and a new film on the way, with the sort of casting that gets Tolkien diehards clutching their pipe-weed.

Rings of Power: Season 4? Sort of...

So, here’s where things get a bit peculiar. The third season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power lands on Prime Video this November – specifically, the 11th. But The Hollywood Reporter is saying that work on season four is already starting to get underway, even though the show hasn’t technically been given an official green light for another run.

If you’re wondering why Amazon is pushing on like it’s a done deal, well, their plan for five seasons was set out almost a decade ago, and it looks like everyone’s still pretending no one might change their mind. Pre-production is apparently gearing up for this autumn, aiming for cameras to start rolling in early 2027. To put it bluntly, Amazon seem all-in, regardless of what formal press releases say.

Just to give you an idea of scale: Amazon reckons the series has dragged in well over 185 million viewers around the globe. That’s a colossally high number – they claim it’s one of Prime Video’s biggest successes ever. How much has this cost? Well, estimates are that the studio could end up spending north of a billion dollars by the time they’re finished. Absolutely bananas.

Season three itself jumps ahead a few years. Plot-wise, we’re heading straight into the thick of the War of the Elves and Sauron. Sauron’s on the hunt for that extra advantage: forging the One Ring to try and tip things firmly in his favour, get everyone under his control, and (naturally) rule all of Middle-earth. Mark 11 November in your calendars if you’re still following along.

Meanwhile, in Cinemas: The Hunt for Gollum

On top of all this TV, Warner Bros have announced a new Lord of the Rings film: The Hunt for Gollum. Andy Serkis is returning as everyone’s favourite cave-dwelling obsessif, and he’s also directing this time. Now, here’s where the casting gets interesting:

• Andy Serkis – directing, and playing Gollum/Smeagol again.
• Ian McKellen is back as Gandalf the Grey (so expect at least one scene involving fireworks or scowling at small folk).
• Lee Pace returns as Thranduil, king of the Elves who still has the best eyebrows in the whole franchise.
• Elijah Wood shows up as Frodo Baggins. Yes, Frodo.
• Jamie Dornan takes on Strider – or Aragorn, if you prefer. This is a sticking point for some: Viggo Mortensen is not coming back for this one.
• Leo Woodall as Halvard, another chap from the Dúnedain Rangers.
• Kate Winslet is Marigol, leading a bunch of Hobbit-adjacent settlers.

Bit of drama over Jamie Dornan picking up Aragorn’s mighty sword. Some fans would clearly rather see Viggo Mortensen riding in again, but Andy Serkis isn’t fussed – and says there’s no bad blood in the handover:

"We’re just about to start shooting... We’re absolutely thrilled that Jamie’s doing it. And, by the way, so is Viggo."

Production is apparently right around the corner, so no doubt there’ll be even more clamour about casting in the months ahead. Current plan is to have The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum in cinemas on 17 December, 2027.