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Amazon’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ pledges a 5 Season Commitment

Just a few months ago, Amazon revealed that it had acquired the global television rights to The Lord of the Rings, based on the celebrated fantasy novels by J.R.R. Tolkien. A recent press release from the fortune 500 company as well as in an interview with THR has additionally stated that now the planned series has received a five season commitment as well as a possible series spin-off. 

Here is something mind-blowing; if you factor in all of the costs for a five seasons and a potential spin-off, you are looking at budget of around one billion dollars. In previous interviews CEO/Founder Jeff Bezos stated that this new series would be like the ‘Game of Thrones’ of Amazon. Well, if that’s certainly the case…. bring on the winter! I mean…. The Ring of Power?

Sharon Tal Yguado, Head of Scripted Series at Amazon Studios recently expressed how excited she was at this news, calling the series an ‘epic journey’:

“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.”

Though no plot details have been released, we do know that the show will serve as a prequel that explores new storylines that take place prior to the events of the Lord of the Rings series events. In addition to this news, the Amazon show might ‘use material from the films’ – which would indicate why New Line Cinema was roped in on the conversation. The material that might be used from the films has yet to be revealed, but that could really mean anything. Set locations, actors, characters…etc.

While we may not know what materials are being used in on the film, one key person who could be involved in the production and that is Mr. Peter Jackson himself in the role of executive producer. Peter Jackson, essentially, brought a whole new fandom to the J.R.R Tolkien world. After completely dominating the box office and earning a handful of oscars for work on the Lord of the Rings trilogy, Jackson then went on to direct and produce a three part story to another Tolkien favorite – The Hobbit.

Jackson’s attorney “helped start a dialogue between Jackson and Amazon,” and the ball is in his court as to whether or not he wants to be a part of the show.

Jeff Bezos and Amazon Co. are not the only ones that are ecstatic for this series to kick off the ground, representative for the Tolkien Estate and HarperCollins, Matt Galsor, also expressed his excitement:

“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 upcoming Amazon Prime Original 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.

 

We will release more details as they come! How exciting!