Amazon has paid a truckload of money to get the rights and produce the upcoming Lord of the Rings series for multiple seasons. But putting that to the side, WHAT STORIES ARE THEY USING?
Sadly, as of now, a script hasn’t been assigned yet. However, we do know the series will be a prequel to The Hobbit and The Lord Of The Rings. We can let out a big sigh of relief knowing the truckload went to the right place. According to Deadline‘s Matt Galser, a representative for the Tolkien Estate and Trust and HarperCollins had this to say:
“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.”
Which means Amazon has the keys to the city… uhhh Mordor. So Legolas, where do you see Amazon going with your elf eyes?
The Silmarillion
The Silmarillion is J.R.R Tolkien’s “first book and also his last” and is set before the events of The Hobbit. It is the bible of Eä, Tolkien’s universe and fills in all the history from the beginnings of the universe up until the Lord Of The Rings. Lovers of elves will want Amazon to start here with the Silmarillion because it introduces some of the greatest elves in Middle-Earth history, including Celebrimbor, maker of the Rings of Power. So here we have a genesis of Middle-Earth Amazon can pull tales from.
Young Aragorn
In all honesty, Amazon would not have to go back far, who wouldn’t want to see the adventures of a young Aragorn? He is 87 years young when we see him in The Fellowship Of The Rings, but what a life he’s had. Taken to the elf city of Rivendell at the age of two after his father is killed. Hidden by the Lord of Rivendell (Elrond) to keep his secret and protect the future king of Gondor. Aragorn would also go on adventures with Elrond’s sons, Elladan, and Elrohir. He also fought some early battles against Sauron, not to mention he met up with Gandalf in his youth, shut up and take my money.
The Adventures Of Gandalf
On the subject of Gandalf, Ian McKellen said YOU SHALL NOT PASS me up for a role in this show. The 78-year-old actor on BBC Radio2 with Graham Norton joked, he hadn’t been asked to play the role, but said,
“Gandalf is 7,000 years old, so I’m not too old.”
Gandalf is very much a large part of the Tolkien Verse, many a story of old and young Gandalf could be told. He spent much of his time among the elves learning and teaching while gathering as much information as he could about Sauron. He was both feared and respected by the beings of Middle-earth even early on in his life. It is not yet known if Amazon plans to cast any of the original cast, but McKellen has my vote.
Of course, there is always the off chance that Amazon could use some of the many other characters in Tolkien’s writings, or heck even create their own, but they wouldn’t do that would they?
Are there any Tolkien stories you want to see? Leave a comment below and let us know.
