Amazon Cuts Deal for Lord of the Rings TV Series

Posted on November 13, 2017

Amazon has announced the biggest deal yet for its television division, Amazon Studios. Amazon has cut a deal with the Tolkien Estate to produce a television series based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. The deal was also cut with HarperCollins and New Line Cinema. New Line was behind the incredible films directed by Peter Jackson.

Sharon Tal Yguado, Head of Scripted Series, Amazon Studios, says in the announcement, "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."

The new series will not attempt to remake the recent blockbuster films. Instead, it will explore new storylines in Middle Earth preceding J.R.R. Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring, the first book in the trilogy. The deal includes a multi season production commitment. Amazon says the deal includes the potential for a spin-off series.

Rumors were buzzing about a possible Amazon and Tolkien deal over the weekend. The Hollywood Reporter says Amazon is looking for a franchise that could give it a Game of Thrones size hit. LOTR could certainly deliver if the series draws in the large numbers of fans of the books and films.