Peter Jackson Shuts Down Hopes for More Lord of the Rings Cuts
Peter Jackson has put to rest speculation about a new, longer cut of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, confirming there’s not enough unused footage for an 'extended-extended edition.'
Fans holding out for another, even longer version of the Lord of the Rings trilogy are in for a letdown. Peter Jackson, the director behind the much-loved films, has made it clear there’s no chance of an 'extended-extended edition' surfacing. In a recent chat with Empire, Jackson was pretty upfront:
‘Are there great scenes that we never used? The answer is no,’
he said.
‘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 run time to more than eleven and a half hours. That’s a serious marathon for any punter keen to watch the lot in one go.
Rumours and Reality: The 'Mithril Cut' Myth
Over the years, whispers have floated around about a so-called ‘Mithril Cut’ that would supposedly include more of Aragorn and Arwen’s romance, especially their time in Lothlórien. But Philippa Boyens, who co-wrote the films, has poured cold water on that idea. She’s said there’s a bit of footage from those scenes, but not nearly enough to justify another version.
Jackson himself has mentioned he’d like to put together a documentary about making the trilogy, using alternative takes and a few bloopers that have never seen the light of day.
‘But to this day, I haven’t persuaded [the studio], because obviously it’s a big undertaking,’
he admitted. So, while there’s some unseen material, it’s not the sort that would make for a new, longer cut of the films.
What’s Next for Middle-earth Fans?
Even though Jackson’s trilogy is well and truly finished, there’s still plenty happening in the world of Middle-earth. A new film, The Hunt for Gollum, is on the horizon, set before the events of The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring. Andy Serkis is not only directing but also stepping back into the role of Smeagol. Ian McKellen is set to return as Gandalf, which is sure to get fans talking. The Hunt for Gollum is due to hit cinemas on 17 December 2027.
On top of that, the third season of The Rings of Power is in the works, promising more adventures for those who can’t get enough of Tolkien’s world. For anyone wanting to revisit the saga, there are guides out there on how to watch all the films in the right order, plus plenty of info on what’s coming up next.
Looking Ahead
With so much happening, it’s a good time to be a fan of Middle-earth. Whether you’re most excited for the next season of The Rings of Power or keen to see what The Hunt for Gollum brings, there’s no shortage of stories to look forward to—even if that dream of an 'extended-extended edition' is off the table for good.