Peter Jackson Shuts Down Hopes for a Longer Lord of the Rings Cut
Peter Jackson has officially debunked rumors of a super-extended Lord of the Rings trilogy, confirming there’s not enough unused footage for another cut. Find out what’s next for Middle-earth fans and what Jackson hopes to release in the future.
Fans of Middle-earth have long speculated about the possibility of an even longer version of the beloved fantasy trilogy, but Peter Jackson has put those rumors to rest. The director made it clear that there simply isn’t enough leftover material to create a so-called 'extended-extended edition' of the original films.
Jackson Addresses the Rumors
In a recent interview, Jackson was direct about the chances of seeing more unseen footage from the trilogy.
“Are there great scenes that we never used? The answer is no,”
he explained.
“There are bits and pieces, I guess. But if you did an extended-extended cut, or whatever it will get called, it would be disappointing. It would be the extended cut with a few extra seconds of something here and there; it wouldn’t be worthwhile doing.”
The original trilogy—The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King—already clocks in at over nine hours. The extended editions add another two and a half hours, pushing the total runtime to more than eleven and a half hours. Despite this, some fans have held out hope for a mythical 'Mithril Cut,' rumored to include more of Aragorn and Arwen’s story. However, co-writer Philippa Boyens has confirmed that while a few moments were filmed, there’s not enough to justify another release.
Behind-the-Scenes Dreams
Jackson has expressed interest in creating a comprehensive documentary about the making of the trilogy, featuring never-before-seen alternate takes and bloopers.
“But to this day, I haven’t persuaded [the studio], because obviously it’s a big undertaking,”
he admitted. While this project remains on hold, it’s clear that Jackson still has a passion for sharing the behind-the-scenes magic with fans.
What’s Next for Middle-earth
Even though Jackson’s trilogy is complete, the world of Middle-earth continues to expand. A new film, The Hunt for Gollum, is set to arrive on December 17, 2027. Andy Serkis will both direct and reprise his role as Smeagol, with Ian McKellen returning as Gandalf. The story takes place before The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring, exploring how Gollum first came into possession of the One Ring.
Meanwhile, fans can also look forward to the third season of The Rings of Power. With so much on the horizon, there’s no shortage of adventures for those eager to return to Tolkien’s world. Whether you’re planning a marathon of the existing films or waiting for the next big release, Middle-earth remains as captivating as ever.