5 Lord of the Rings Spinoffs We’d Be Desperate to See (If Only They Were Happening)

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Even though Peter Jackson’s films covered a large portion of J.R.R. Tolkien’s books and took many hours to watch, there are still many stories from The Lord of the Rings that haven’t been adapted for the screen. For example, the story of the Barrow-wights wasn’t included in the original movies, but it appears to be a key part of The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past, one of the new Lord of the Rings projects in development.

Despite the new projects being developed, many compelling stories from the franchise haven’t made it into films. Out of all the potential spinoffs that appear unlikely to happen, these 5 stand out as the most promising Lord of the Rings ideas.

The Scouring Of The Shire

Peter Jackson’s extended edition Lord of the Rings trilogy is nearly 12 hours long, so it’s understandable that some storylines didn’t make the cut. Many fans were particularly disappointed that “the Scouring of the Shire” was left out. This part of the book shows the hobbits returning home to find the Shire under the control of Saruman, forcing them to fight to reclaim their land and protect their peaceful way of life.

It would have been incredible to see this moment in the films because it highlights how much the hobbits had developed into true heroes. It also would have shown a realistic portrayal of war – that even a large battle doesn’t automatically solve everything. Unfortunately, it probably won’t happen, as it wouldn’t fit well with the story as told in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

The Role Of Elladan And Elrohir

Elrond and his daughter Arwen play a crucial role in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy, and their importance goes beyond their romantic relationship with Aragorn. While their love story is featured, Elrond is vital to the fight against Sauron. He not only initiates the Fellowship’s journey but also motivates Aragorn to embrace his destiny and fulfill his potential.

The movies left out a significant part of Elrond’s story: his two sons, Elladan and Elrohir. In the books, these brothers play a much bigger role in the war, even leading a group of thirty Dúnedain warriors called the Grey Company with Halbarad. Their leadership is crucial to victory. It would be great to see them featured in a future spinoff, and it’s still possible given the timeline of the story.

The Story Of Tom Bombadil

As a huge fan of the books, I always felt something was missing from Peter Jackson’s films – Tom Bombadil! He’s such a powerful and enigmatic character, and he actually helps the hobbits a lot in the story. A lot of us were disappointed he wasn’t included, especially in the first movie, The Fellowship of the Ring, because it felt like the perfect place for him to show up. But I understand Jackson had his reasons for making that choice.

Introducing a character as strong and unique as Tom Bombadil would have diverted significant attention from the main story – something J.R.R. Tolkien didn’t have much room for – and likely created more questions than answers. However, a separate story specifically about Tom Bombadil could allow for a more thorough exploration of his character and his importance to the overall events.

Each Character’s Journey To The Undying Lands

At the end of The Return of the King, Gandalf, Frodo, and Bilbo sail to the Undying Lands. However, they weren’t the only members of the Fellowship to make that journey. Though traditionally reserved for elves, the Undying Lands eventually welcomed several of the Fellowship, including Sam, Gimli, Legolas, Gandalf, and Frodo.

It would be wonderful to see Sam and Gimli’s journeys to the Undying Lands depicted on screen. Sam earned his passage because he briefly carried the One Ring, believing Frodo had died. Gimli’s reason for being allowed entry is less defined, but the story hints that Legolas helped secure a special exception for him—a moment fans would likely enjoy seeing.

The Mouth Of Sauron

The Mouth of Sauron is arguably one of the scariest characters in The Lord of the Rings, and his story deserves to be explored further. Unlike characters like Tom Bombadil, he actually appeared in Peter Jackson’s film trilogy—briefly, near the end of The Return of the King.

This villain is truly unique and terrifying, and the story would greatly benefit from showing him more. Giving him more screen time would also allow for a more detailed exploration of his motivations and character.

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2026-05-05 19:15