One Ring, One Future: Prime Video Brings Blade Runner 2099 and The Rings of Power to SDCC 2026

Prime Video has taken on some massive projects in recent years, and it doesn’t seem like they plan on slowing down anytime soon. At this year’s SDCC panel, they focused on two big projects specifically—Blade Runner 2099, a miniseries sequel to the prior Blade Runner films, and the third season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

In my opinion, this was one of the most revealing panels at SDCC this year. Those in attendance at Hall H got exclusive trailers, premiere date information, and appearances from the casts and creative teams. For those of us who weren’t able to attend, here’s a look at everything announced during the presentation.

Blade Runner 2099

On Stage

Executive producers Andrew Kosove and Broderick Johnson were joined by showrunner Silka Luisa and actresses Michelle Yeoh as Olwen and Hunter Schafer as Cora. It was especially exciting for Michelle Yeoh, who had never attended SDCC before and was making her Hall H debut.

The Story

Set in the same universe as the two Blade Runner films, this eight-episode series takes place roughly 50 years after Blade Runner 2049. It explores a world where replicants are now in power and humans have become second-class citizens.

The story follows Olwen, a veteran Blade Runner, who teams up with a new recruit named Cora to investigate a conspiracy tied to Los Angeles.

Some may question—why dive back into the world of Blade Runner? One of the executive producers made a great point that the Blade Runner universe has only become more relevant as technology has evolved. With artificial intelligence becoming an increasingly tangible part of everyday life, it seems like the perfect time to dive back into a world where AI takes a turn for the worse.

A Special Look

During the panel, a new teaser trailer debuted, and it does a good job of showing the shift in the power dynamic where humans are no longer on top. One particular shot in the trailer that excited fans was the franchise’s signature close-up eye shot, which served as a clever callback to the original films.

In addition to the new trailer, those in attendance at the panel were also shown a clip from the series featuring an interrogation scene between Cora and Olwen. Cora was upside down, strapped to a gurney, being scanned by a machine when Olwen entered moments later to question her.

Essentially, what we learn from the scene is that Cora is a “child” compared to others who have lived long past a normal human lifespan, and she hasn’t yet become accustomed to the violence necessary to survive in this new world.

Final Thoughts

For those who were fans of the original franchise, I think this new story will certainly be worth a watch. Although it likely won’t feature many familiar characters, I think the dynamics of the new cast will make up for that.

And for those who were disappointed about having to wait until 2027 to stream this on Prime—great news—you won’t have to because the release date was moved up, with the series premiering on November 25, 2026.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

On Stage

Showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay stepped onto the Hall H stage, joined by Benjamin Walker, who portrays High King Gil-galad and served as the panel’s presenter.

The rest of the on-stage lineup included several returning cast members, including Morfydd Clark as Galadriel, Charlie Vickers as Sauron, and Robert Aramayo as Elrond. Moments later, they introduced a few newcomers, including Jamie Campbell Bower as Celeborn, Simon Pegg as the voice of the Balrog, and Eddie Marsan as Thráin.

The stage was certainly full, but it did a great job of showing how much talent it takes to bring such an epic franchise to life.

The Story

The series takes place in what is known as the Second Age of Middle-earth, thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit or The Lord of the Rings. It essentially shows Sauron’s rise to power after years of peace, as well as the forging of the Rings of Power.

The first two seasons followed Galadriel as she searched for the mysterious force threatening Middle-earth, which—surprise—turned out to be her ally Halbrand, who was actually Sauron in disguise. Season 2 ended as the kingdoms of Middle-earth prepared for war and Sauron grew stronger than ever, with several of the Rings of Power already forged.

Season 3 will take place three years later, with Sauron’s armies having already taken over the majority of the continent. Lindon, Rivendell, and Khazad-dûm are the only Sauron-free lands left.

Showrunners Payne and McKay explicitly described this as “the season we’ve been building to,” and with it centering around the forging of the One Ring (yes, you know which one), I have no doubts that this will certainly be an epic culmination.

In addition, the panel mentioned that this season will feature the series’ largest scope yet, and this time around things will be much darker as the armies of Middle-earth clash with Sauron’s forces.

My favorite story reveal was that Gandalf will be stepping into the more recognizable, wiser role that many of us know and love.

The Trailer

Of course, they used this moment to debut the new trailer for Season 3, and all I can say is—wow. If fans weren’t already excited, they surely are now.

Unlike prior seasons, where Sauron was a vague, unseen villain, the trailer opens with him at the forefront, making it clear that he is done hiding.

The trailer then cuts to flashes of burning cities, Elven armies, and towering smoke and fire. So we can assume there will be a bit less political drama and a lot more large-scale warfare this time around.

One of the coolest parts of the trailer was the reveal of the Nazgnagôl, servants of Sauron who appear to precede—or perhaps become—the Ringwraiths (the nine creepy guys on horses who are always chasing Frodo).

Final Thoughts

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power truly seemed like one of Prime Video’s biggest Hall H presentations ever. Between the dark trailer, new casting reveals, and details about Sauron’s journey to forge the Ring, fans of the series will certainly be more hyped than ever for its November 11 release.