A new partnership between New Line Cinema, Freemode’s Embracer Group, and Warner Bros. has set the stage for more big screen Lord of the Rings projects 20 years after the Peter Jackson’s epic first hit theaters.
The multi-year agreement will cover multiple features based on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, including The Lord of the Rings, and The Hobbit, in addition to expanding upon the world and characters of Middle-earth.
“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,” said Lee Guinchard, CEO of Freemode, and representative for Freemode’s division, Embracer. “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.”
“Twenty years ago, New Line took an unprecedented leap of faith to realize the incredible stories, characters and world of The Lord of the Rings on the big screen,” said Warner Bros. Pictures Group Co-Chairs and CEOs Michael De Luca and Pam Abdy in a statement today. “The result was a landmark series of films that have been embraced by generations of fans. But for all the scope and detail lovingly packed into the two trilogies, the vast, complex and dazzling universe dreamed up by J.R.R. Tolkien remains largely unexplored on film. The opportunity to invite fans deeper into the cinematic world of Middle-earth is an honor, and we are excited to partner with Middle-earth Enterprises and Embracer on this adventure.”
The pact comes 20 years after New Line Cinema released Peter Jackson’s epic The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The films are among the most successful of all time, winning seventeen Oscars including eleven for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, tying the record for a single film.
The Studio famously went on to re-team with Jackson for a second trilogy of films based on The Hobbit. Combined, the six films earned nearly $6B in box office worldwide.
New Line and Warner Bros. Animation are currently in production on The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, an an animated feature set 183 years before the events of The Lord of the Rings. The film tells the fate of the House of Helm Hammerhand, the legendary King of Rohan, and is set to hit cinemas on April 12, 2024.
Follow The Bulldog Edition @TheBulldogEd on X for more TV and Film Scoop this season.