MOVIE NEWS – Many fans agree that The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 was a significant improvement over the slower-paced, less action-packed first season. The impact has been clear, as the series continues to shatter streaming records on Amazon Prime. While Season 3 hasn’t been officially confirmed yet, Amazon Studios has now addressed the show’s future.

Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon MGM Studios, spoke to Variety about the state of Prime Video and how well The Rings of Power is performing on the platform. It seems the critics will have to sit this one out because, according to Salke, over 150 million viewers have tuned in to watch the show. Of course, one wouldn’t expect an Amazon executive to downplay a series they spent over $1 billion to produce, but the numbers seem to support her claims. Salke explained:

“If you look at the long-term trajectory, which is how we approach an asset like this, it’s a significant long-term investment. (…) There are well over 150 million viewers actively watching and engaging with the series. So, I’m feeling very confident about it, and I think the entire team feels the same.”

As previously reported, The Rings of Power Season 3 is already in development, although it hasn’t been officially greenlit yet. However, given the show’s success, it seems inevitable that a renewal will happen soon. When the series was first announced, it was pitched as a five-season project, and Salke reassured fans that this original plan remains intact. Fortunately, she made it clear that The Rings of Power isn’t going anywhere, and everyone – even those who dislike the show – are helping to keep it alive by tuning in week after week.

“I don’t think so. (That) commitment isn’t the driving factor in what we do. We’ll continue producing the show as long as we see global audiences watching and loving it – because at the end of the day, it’s a business. We need a large audience, and we have one, so there’s no question about the show continuing.”

What Lies Ahead for The Rings of Power?

The future of The Rings of Power was mapped out from the very start. The show takes place during the Second Age, a crucial yet often overlooked period in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings lore. The Season 2 finale hinted that the series is steadily building toward the final battle that will usher in a new age. It’s expected that, should the series continue, the fifth season will depict the War of the Last Alliance, a climactic event in which Sauron suffers his first major defeat.

Showrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne have had a clear vision from the moment Amazon committed to producing 50 episodes. From revealing the Stranger as Gandalf to teasing Sauron’s ultimate downfall, the series has been filling in gaps in Tolkien’s work, whether fans are pleased with it or not. Season 3 is set to explore even deeper into Tolkien’s world, offering a Lord of the Rings experience that the films couldn’t fully provide.

Source: MovieWeb