The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 4 pre-production begins before season 3 arrives

Amazon is planning to kick off pre-production on season 4 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power in fall 2026, before the series’ third season even hits screens. That was recently confirmed by several reports on the show’s production schedule. Season 3 is set to stream on Prime Video in November 2026, meaning viewers will have waited more than two years since season 2 released.

It has not yet been officially confirmed that season 4 has received the green light from Amazon. The series was originally pitched as a story told across five seasons, and Amazon has made sure the showrunners feel supported in that plan. Despite uncertainty around viewership and the massive costs, reportedly around $1 billion, Amazon has given no indication that it intends to shut the series down.

Story and development

In season 3, which takes place at the height of the War of the Elves and Sauron, the Dark Lord will attempt to forge the One Ring to gain a decisive edge in the conflict. This season jumps much further ahead in time than the previous one, and it will feature familiar characters such as Elendil, once again played by Peter McKenzie, as he prepares for battle.

The future of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power remains uncertain, but Amazon appears determined to keep telling stories from Middle-earth. Alongside the series, two spinoff films are also in development. The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is expected in 2024, and with returning actors like Andy Serkis, Elijah Wood, and Ian McKellen, interest is high.

Costs and production

The series’ enormous cost, estimated at $1 billion, has raised questions about the viability of future seasons. However, there are strong signs that Amazon still has confidence in the show despite the heavy spending, given its prominent place in the Prime Video lineup and the support the showrunners continue to receive.

Upcoming releases and expectations

With season 3 on the way and plans already forming for season 4, Amazon seems to have a clear strategy to minimize the gap between releases. The goal is to keep the more than two-year wait between season 2 and season 3 as short as possible, underlining how important the series is to Amazon as one of the platform’s key draws.

In short, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power remains a crucial project for Amazon, with ambitious plans for the future and the promise of more Middle-earth stories.