J.R.R. Tolkien's 'Lord of the Rings' Heading to Television?
von Clayton Davis
We're in the golden age of reboots, and it looks like yet another story is going to be revived for a trip to television. J.R.R. Tolkien's estate is currently in talks with Amazon Studios to develop a "Lord of the Rings" television series, which was previously treated to a critically acclaimed film trilogy by director Peter Jackson. The estate has been shopping the series around to multiple studios, with support from Warner Bros. Television, whose New Line Cinema banner distributed Jackson's trilogy. (Looks like the Tolkien estate and Warner Bros. have made peace after their lawsuit.) Amazon Studios currently the frontrunner in bidding, according to Variety. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos--who's an avid sci-fi and fantasy fan-- is reportedly involved in negotiations, which is rare for the business mogul.
The move towards more popular programming with broad appeal was ordered earlier this year by Bezos, before the exit of President Roy Price, scripted TV exec Joe Lewis, and unscripted TV exec Conrad Riggs after showrunner Isa Hackett ("The Man in the High Castle") lent her voice to the #MeToo campaign that's cleaning out Hollywood's creeps, harassers, and rapists. Hackett had been harassed by Price, after which Amazon did nothing to protect Hackett or penalize Price for his behavior; after Hackett came forward, Price eventually resigned, Lewis and Riggs in his wake.
THR and Variety both note that the series still has a ways to go before a greenlight, and does not currently have a writer or director attached to the project. Rolling Stone suggests that the "Lord of the Rings" story would be approached similarly to "Game of Thrones," which is currently producing its final season. Fan reaction to the news of a TV series could also impact the deal, as Jackson's film trilogy is often regarded as one of the best novel adaptations in film. Would fantasy fans even want to watch another reboot that might not live up to Jackson's films? But from a business perspective, Tolkien's works are a gold mine, with "Lord of the Rings" raking in $3 billion and 11 Oscars during its run. The Jackson-directed prequel "The Hobbit," which was split into three films and was also well received.
Is it too soon for a "Lord of the Rings" TV series? Let us know in the comments below!
The move towards more popular programming with broad appeal was ordered earlier this year by Bezos, before the exit of President Roy Price, scripted TV exec Joe Lewis, and unscripted TV exec Conrad Riggs after showrunner Isa Hackett ("The Man in the High Castle") lent her voice to the #MeToo campaign that's cleaning out Hollywood's creeps, harassers, and rapists. Hackett had been harassed by Price, after which Amazon did nothing to protect Hackett or penalize Price for his behavior; after Hackett came forward, Price eventually resigned, Lewis and Riggs in his wake.
THR and Variety both note that the series still has a ways to go before a greenlight, and does not currently have a writer or director attached to the project. Rolling Stone suggests that the "Lord of the Rings" story would be approached similarly to "Game of Thrones," which is currently producing its final season. Fan reaction to the news of a TV series could also impact the deal, as Jackson's film trilogy is often regarded as one of the best novel adaptations in film. Would fantasy fans even want to watch another reboot that might not live up to Jackson's films? But from a business perspective, Tolkien's works are a gold mine, with "Lord of the Rings" raking in $3 billion and 11 Oscars during its run. The Jackson-directed prequel "The Hobbit," which was split into three films and was also well received.
Is it too soon for a "Lord of the Rings" TV series? Let us know in the comments below!
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Clayton Davis
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