Amazon has just signed a multi season production commitment to create and produce a tv series set in the Lord of The Rings universe. No, it isn’t April Fool’s Day and no, it’s not about the Silmarillion.
Variety confirmed the news, which hit last week as mostly rumor, but the story just wouldn’t go away. The television adaptation will explore new storylines preceding “The Fellowship of the Ring”, and will be (obviously) set in Middle Earth.
Sharon Tal Yguado the head of scripted series for Amazon Studios said in a statement about the deal:
“The Lord of the Rings’ is a cultural phenomenon that has captured the imagination of generations of fans through literature and the big screen. We are honored to be working with the Tolkien Estate and Trust, HarperCollins and New Line on this exciting collaboration for television and are thrilled to be taking ‘The Lord of the Rings’ fans on a new epic journey in Middle Earth.”
Matt Galsor, a representative for the Tolkien Estate and Trust and HarperCollins said:
“We are delighted that Amazon, with its longstanding commitment to literature, is the home of the first-ever multi-season television series for ‘The Lord of the Rings. Sharon and the team at Amazon Studios have exceptional ideas to bring to the screen previously unexplored stories based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s original writings.”
The deal also includes a potential additional spin-off series. The series will be produced by Amazon Studios in cooperation with the Tolkien Estate and Trust, HarperCollins and New Line Cinema, a division of Warner Bros. Entertainment.
- CONTACT >>
After the trilogy, but before the LOR movies, there was in fact a stereo radio LOR episodal programme. It was stunning, but few people would remember it or even know about it. A television series of these magnificent tomes, is an obvious natural progression and will surely have massive appeal.
This inititive by Amazon can be the jewel in the crown of the LOR saga. What a brilliant idea ! ???
This has enormous potential, but only if the main characters are not a part of it. There are plenty of ways to bring Middle Earth to a TV series and pull the huge fan base in. Perhaps you could look to the Role Playing Game for some inspiration. The Rohirrim with their horse riding ability and special horses, the Dunadain; a mixed race of elven and human, The Beorning with their fabled ability to actually become bears, the potential goes on and on. Not to mention the multiple races of elves and factions of Dwarves or the gods among men, such as Tom Bombadil and Gandalf or Alatar and Pallando, whose adventures in the east are widely unknown.
Just stay out of the shire for the most part and stay away from the movie characters (the fellowship).
Otherwise, game on! and make a fantastic television series.