The Best New Lord of the Rings Movie Would Adapt Tolkien’s 109-Year-Old Story (but There’s a Catch)

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While another Lord of the Rings film is planned for 2027, many fans are hoping for an adaptation of a different story by J.R.R. Tolkien – one that’s over a century old and has evolved over time. Tolkien’s detailed world of Middle-earth offers plenty of possibilities for Warner Bros. to build on the films Peter Jackson made. However, the recent animated film, The War of the Rohirrim, didn’t live up to expectations, receiving negative reviews and earning only $20 million worldwide.

Just because there are other stories within Middle-earth worth telling doesn’t mean the studio should rely on fans’ love for the original trilogy to bring them back to the movies—even though that’s what drove the interest in The Hunt for Gollum. The Lord of the Rings franchise could thrive with a fresh perspective and talented creators. There’s one story by Tolkien in particular that would be a fantastic place to start, if not for a significant challenge.

Beren and Lúthien Is the Best Tolkien Story for a Lord of the Rings Movie to Adapt

While many stories from Middle-earth could be adapted into films, the tale of Beren and Lúthien seems like the most natural choice. J.R.R. Tolkien first began writing it in 1917, originally titled The Tale of Tinúviel, and revised it repeatedly. A version eventually appeared in his book, The Silmarillion. Christopher Tolkien later published a collection in 2017, Beren and Lúthien, showcasing all the different versions of the story. Despite the changes over time, all versions center on a love story unfolding during the dark reign of Morgoth.

As a huge Tolkien fan, I’ve always wondered why we haven’t seen Beren and Lúthien adapted for the screen yet! The story is just packed with everything you want in a movie – high stakes, a sweeping romance, and a really exciting quest to steal a Silmaril from the ultimate bad guy, Morgoth. It’s a genuinely suspenseful plot. But beyond that, the love story between Beren and Lúthien is so captivating, even knowing it’s destined for heartbreak. Of all Tolkien’s big stories, this one feels like it would translate to film the best. It’s got this undercurrent of hope, but it feels separate enough to work as its own thing, or even open up some exciting new directions for the whole franchise. I honestly think it would be amazing.

This Lord of the Rings Movie Would Take the Franchise in Exciting New Directions

There are many reasons why Beren and Lúthien would make a great movie, but the most exciting is the opportunity to expand the Lord of the Rings story in a fresh direction. The current films and The Rings of Power series have focused on different periods – the Third and Second Ages of Middle-earth, respectively – but the First Age remains unexplored. While The Rings of Power hints at events and characters from that era, particularly Sauron’s origins and the influence of Morgoth, no adaptation has fully brought that time period to life.

If a film adaptation of Beren and Lúthien were successful, it would demonstrate that stories set in the First Age of Tolkien’s world could work well on screen, potentially leading to more explorations of that era. Seeing Tolkien’s world at the peak of Morgoth’s power—as he’s the most terrifying villain in The Lord of the Rings—would be incredibly compelling. Plus, as a central love story, Beren and Lúthien would offer something different from previous adaptations. While romance exists in The Lord of the Rings, this story would put it front and center, offering a fresh take on the franchise and breathing new life into it.

There’s a Catch That Makes a Beren and Lúthien Movie Unlikely to Happen

A movie based on the story of Beren and Lúthien seems like the best path forward for Warner Bros., but it’s probably not going to happen due to rights restrictions. The Tolkien Estate still owns the rights to The Silmarillion, meaning Warner Bros. can only make films based on The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, along with their appendices. According to Peter Jackson, who spoke about this at San Diego Comic-Con in 2012 (as reported by Tolkien Library), there’s little chance of that changing. So, we’ll likely see more projects related to The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit instead of adaptations of Tolkien’s other great stories, which is disappointing because those stories have a lot of potential.

Interested in a movie about Beren and Lúthien? Let us know in the comments, and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-26 05:11