Epic fantasy cinema is preparing for one of its most intense periods in a long time. Between 2027 and 2029, four large-scale adaptations will hit the big screen: The Legend of Zelda, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, Elden Ring, and Aegon's Conquest.
These are not minor projects. Two of them are based on video games that have become global phenomena, another returns to one of the most influential film sagas in the genre, and the last one delves into the expanded Game of Thrones universe. This combination makes the coming years a particularly relevant time for fans of fantasy in film.
The Legend of Zelda opens the calendar in 2027
The first date is April 30, 2027, with the live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda. Wes Ball is in charge of directing, while the confirmed cast includes Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, Bo Bragason, and Uli Latukefu.
The project will bring one of the most recognizable fantasy video game franchises in the world to live-action, with decades of accumulated mythology as a starting point. For the moment, no concrete details about the plot have been revealed beyond its status as an adaptation of the saga.
The return to Middle-earth with The Hunt for Gollum
A few months later, on December 17, 2027, the release of The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, directed by Andy Serkis, is scheduled.
The story will focus on Aragorn's pursuit of Gollum, a premise that allows for a return to Middle-earth from a different angle than the original trilogy.
The cast announced so far includes Anya Taylor-Joy, Leo Woodall, Kate Winslet, Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis, Ian McKellen, and Lee Pace. The presence of faces already linked to the saga, along with Serkis himself behind the camera, makes this release one of the most anticipated in this group of productions.
There is also another project related to The Lord of the Rings currently on hold, with no confirmed return date.
Elden Ring will bring its dark fantasy to the screen in 2028
On March 3, 2028, the live-action adaptation of Elden Ring, directed by Alex Garland, will arrive. The cast includes Havana Rose Liu, Cailee Spaeny, and Jonathan Pryce.
The film will bring the dark fantasy universe of the video game to the big screen, set in the Lands Between, a territory devastated by war that was once held together by the Elden Ring itself.
Compared to the more adventurous tone of other proposals on this list, Elden Ring starts from a setting marked by destruction and conflict, making it the darkest project of the four.
Aegon’s Conquest will close the cycle in 2029
The last production in this review would arrive, if the current schedule holds, on June 1, 2029. Aegon's Conquest will be directed by Owen Harris, although no names have been announced for its cast yet.
The plot will follow Aegon Targaryen during the military campaign with which he manages to unify six kingdoms in a period of just two years, encountering the main resistance to his advance in Dorne.
The premise places war and territorial conquest at the center of the narrative, within the expanded Game of Thrones universe.
Four distinct proposals within the same genre
Beyond sharing the epic fantasy label, the four projects present very different tones. The Legend of Zelda opts for the fantasy adventure inherited from the video game; The Hunt for Gollum recovers the mythology of Middle-earth; Elden Ring leans toward a dark and devastated fantasy, and Aegon's Conquest focuses its story on a large-scale war of conquest.
Between April 2027 and June 2029, audiences will be able to find four proposals in theaters that, despite their differences in tone, share the ambition of building large-format worlds, conflicts, and mythologies.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is The Legend of Zelda movie released?
The live-action adaptation of The Legend of Zelda is scheduled for release on April 30, 2027, directed by Wes Ball.
Who is directing The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum?
The film is directed by Andy Serkis and has a release date set for December 17, 2027.
Which actors appear in The Hunt for Gollum?
The confirmed cast includes Anya Taylor-Joy, Leo Woodall, Kate Winslet, Elijah Wood, Andy Serkis, Ian McKellen, and Lee Pace.
What is the Elden Ring movie about?
The adaptation, directed by Alex Garland and scheduled for release on March 3, 2028, takes place in the Lands Between, a territory devastated by war that was once held together by the Elden Ring.
What is Aegon’s Conquest about?
The film, directed by Owen Harris and scheduled for release on June 1, 2029, tells the story of Aegon Targaryen's campaign to unify six kingdoms in two years, facing resistance from Dorne.
Are there more The Lord of the Rings projects in the works?
Yes, there is another film related to the franchise, although it is currently on hold and has no confirmed release date.
