Lord of The Rings TV series: What we know so far
The multi-season, big budget Amazon Lord of the Rings television show is on its way, here's what we know.
When can we watch it?
Amazon Studios said pre-production had started, and production on the series would begin later. Amazon Studios will begin filming its Lord of the Rings television show in Auckland and the series is expected to premiere in 2021.
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Who is in it?
While there's been nothing official on casting yet, The Hollywood Reporter is tipping Australian actress Markella Kavenagh (The Cry, Romper Stomper) as the first person to sign up for the series. English actor Will Poulter (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader,The Maze Runner) is also said to have a role.
JD Payne and Patrick McKay (Star Trek 4, Jungle Cruise) are developing the story, with Game of Thrones' Bryan Cogman as a consultant on the project. JA Bayona (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) is set to direct the first two episodes. Bayona and producing partner Belén Atienza will also serve as executive producers.
How many seasons of Amazon's Lord of the Rings will there be?
Amazon have committed to five seasons as part of their rights deal.
What's it going to be about?
The series will be set before the events of The Fellowship of the Ring. In the JRR Tolkien timeline, this is known as the Age of Númenor, or the Second Age, when the titular Rings of Power were created and evil Lord Sauron came to power.
This means we probably won't see many of the characters from the original series in it, as they weren't around during this time.
What's the budget?
The fantasy production is expected to be the most expensive TV show in history; it's believed Amazon Studios spent $250 million alone securing the rights for the story from the Tolkien estate and the total budget will be a reported $1 billion.
That seems like a lot but not as much as the epic Lord of the Rings trilogy, which ultimately grossed $2.92 billion worldwide off a combined budget of roughly $281 million.
Will Peter Jackson be involved?
The Kiwi Oscar-winning director has confirmed he won't be involved behind-the-scenes on the new series.
Stuff
Source: www.stuff.co.nz