For years, fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth have wondered when the series would receive a true, large-scale role-playing game to rival the likes of The Elder Scrolls or Hogwarts Legacy. Now, a new rumor suggests that dream might finally be closer to reality.

According to a recent leak, a AAA Lord of the Rings action RPG is currently in development with a budget reportedly in the $100 million range. The project is said to be backed in part by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, and its stated ambition is to deliver an experience on the same scale as Warner Bros.’ successful Hogwarts Legacy. While no studio or publisher has been officially attached to the project, the leak has already stirred considerable excitement within the gaming community.

The comparison to Hogwarts Legacy is deliberate. That game showed how a major fantasy license could thrive in an expansive, open-world setting filled with exploration, combat, and player-driven stories. It sold millions of copies worldwide and proved there is strong demand for fully realized role-playing games tied to beloved franchises. For Tolkien’s world, with its rich history, vast landscapes, and iconic characters, the format feels like a natural fit.

Up until now, Middle-earth adaptations have ranged from smaller experiments like Tales of the Shire a cozy life-sim set in the Shire to more niche projects such as The Lord of the Rings: Gollum and Return to Moria. While these games tap into parts of the mythology, they don’t attempt to capture the sweeping scope of the novels or films. A proper AAA RPG, however, could give players the chance to journey through iconic regions like Rivendell, Rohan, and Mordor, crafting their own story along the way.

For now, it remains a tantalizing possibility. But if Middle-earth is indeed being prepared for its biggest digital journey yet, the gaming world will be watching closely.