Peter Jackson Finally Answers if a ‘Lord of the Rings Mithril Cut’ Is Real

While fans have spent years dreaming of a hidden treasury of unseen footage from Middle-earth, Peter Jackson has officially laid those rumors to rest.

In a special 25th anniversary reunion issue of Empire, Jackson clarified that the long-whispered “Mithril Cut,” a mythical version of the trilogy containing even more footage than the Extended Editions, is simply a fantasy.

He explained that while bits and pieces exist, there are no “great scenes” left on the cutting room floor that would make a new edition worthwhile.

Jackson was candid about the reality of the remaining footage, noting that an “extended-extended” cut would likely be a disappointment for viewers. “It would be the extended cut with a few extra seconds of something here and there; it wouldn’t be worthwhile doing,” he told the magazine. Co-writer Philippa Boyens agreed, confirming that while some specific moments like a younger Aragorn’s courtship with Arwen were filmed, the volume of unused narrative content is much smaller than the internet legends suggest.

However, the director hasn’t given up on the idea of returning to that vault in a different way. Jackson expressed his desire to create a massive Lord of the Rings documentary using the vast amount of behind-the-scenes material he still possesses. He teased that this footage includes alternative takes, bloopers, and a deeper look at the “mechanics of making the films,” though he admitted he has yet to convince the studio to greenlight such a massive undertaking.

While the “Mithril Cut” may be dead, the future of the franchise is very much alive with several high-profile projects in development. Most notably, Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed that a new live-action film, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, is scheduled for a December 2027 release. Andy Serkis is set to both direct and star as the titular character, with Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens producing and overseeing the creative direction.

The news of the franchise’s return has already sparked excitement among the original cast members. Sir Ian McKellen recently teased fans by suggesting that both Gandalf and Frodo would appear in the new film, hinting that The Hunt for Gollum will serve as a prequel set shortly before the events of The Fellowship of the Ring. Elijah Wood also fueled the fire during a recent Fan Expo panel, playfully stating that “a wizard is to be trusted” when asked about his potential return as Frodo Baggins.

This new wave of Middle-earth content follows the late 2024 release of the anime prequel The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.

Though it received mixed reviews and a modest box office return, it marked a significant stylistic departure for the series, exploring the history of Helm Hammerhand. As 2026 kicks off, production for The Hunt for Gollum is ramping up in New Zealand, with casting calls currently underway to find a younger actor to step into the role of Aragorn.

The 25th anniversary of the trilogy has brought the original “fellowship” back into the spotlight, with the four hobbits, Elijah Wood, Sean Astin, Dominic Monaghan, and Billy Boyd, recently reuniting for cast photos and interviews. Beyond Middle-earth, Jackson has been busy with his visual effects company, Wētā FX, which continues to revolutionize digital filmmaking. Serkis, meanwhile, is finishing work on his long-awaited adaptation of Animal Farm before he fully commits to his directorial duties in the Shire later this May.

Would you rather see a mega-documentary about the making of the original trilogy or new live-action stories like the upcoming Gollum movie? Share your thoughts in the comments.