BIG, EARLY NEWS: Amazon buying LOTR to make a Series

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Post by Skyweir »

Wow 8O totally awesome 😎

Is there any news on when the tv series will be launched?
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Post by wayfriend »

There has been very little news about this whole project, and (in my opinion) very little excitement. I'm a bit worried about that.

But there was a bit of news today.
The Lord of the Rings on Prime Twitter account surprised us all today with an official announcement of the upcoming television series' full cast. Some names we already knew, but many we did not.

The full roster of actors includes_. [link]
Follow the link to see all the actors. But it's nothing to get excited about. I am sure they'll all be brilliant, but it's just that there are no big names.

This can also be taken as a sign that filming (or rather, sword, language, athletic training needed for filming) is about to begin.
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Post by High Lord Tolkien »

"Wait, Sauron's a normal looking guy??? Didn't anyone watch the movies? He's a giant flaming eyeball!! This sucks."


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Post by wayfriend »

In earlier ages he was merely a sarcastically rolling eyeball.
In the Silmarillion was wrote:And men saw his sails coming up out of the sunset, dyed as with scarlet and gleaming with red and gold, and fear fell upon the dwellers by the coasts, and they fled far away. But the fleet came at last to that place that was called Umbar, where was the mighty haven of the Numenoreans that no hand had wrought. Empty and silent were all the lands about when the King of the Sea marched upon Middle-earth. For seven days he journeyed with banner and trumpet, and he came to a hill, and he went up, and he set there his pavilion and his throne; and he sat him down in the midst of the land, and the tents of his host were ranged all about him, blue, golden, and white, as a field of tall flowers. Then he sent forth heralds, and he commanded Sauron to come before him and swear to him fealty.

And Sauron came. Even from his mighty tower of Barad-dur he came, and made no offer of battle. For he perceived that the power and majesty of the Kings of the Sea surpassed all rumour of them, so that he could not trust even the greatest of his servants to withstand them; and he saw not his time yet to work his will with the Dunedain. And he was crafty, well skilled to gain what he would by subtlety when force might not avail. Therefore he humbled himself before Ar-Pharazon and smoothed his tongue; and men wondered, for all that he said seemed fair and wise.

But Ar-Pharazon was not yet deceived, and it came into his mind that, for the better keeping of Sauron and of his oaths of fealty, he should be brought to Numenor, there to dwell as a hostage for himself and all his servants in Middle-earth. To this Sauron assented as one constrained, yet in his secret thought he received it gladly, for it chimed indeed with his desire. And Sauron passed over the sea and looked upon the land of Numenor, and on the city of Armenelos in the days of its glory, and he was astounded; but his heart within was filled the more with envy and hate.

Yet such was the cunning of his mind and mouth, and the strength of his hidden will, that ere three years had passed he had become closest to the secret counsels of the King; for flattery sweet as honey was ever on his tongue, and knowledge he had of many things yet unrevealed to Men. And seeing the favour that he had of their lord all the councillors began to fawn upon him, save one alone, Amandil lord of Andunie. Then slowly a change came over the land, and the hearts of the Elf-friends were sorely troubled, and many fell away out of fear; and although those that remained still called themselves the Faithful, their enemies named them rebels. For now, having the ears of men, Sauron with many arguments gainsaid all that the Valar had taught; and he bade men think that in the world, in the east and even in the west, there lay yet many seas and many lands for their winning, wherein was wealth uncounted. And still, if they should at the last come to the end of those lands and seas, beyond all lay the Ancient Darkness. 'And out of it the world was made. For Darkness alone is worshipful, and the Lord thereof may yet make other worlds to be gifts to those that serve him, so that the increase of their power shall find no end.'
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Post by High Lord Tolkien »

wayfriend wrote:In earlier ages he was merely a sarcastically rolling eyeball.
In the Silmarillion was wrote:And men saw his sails coming up out of the sunset, dyed as with scarlet and gleaming with red and gold, and fear fell upon the dwellers by the coasts, and they fled far away. But the fleet came at last to that place that was called Umbar, where was the mighty haven of the Numenoreans that no hand had wrought. Empty and silent were all the lands about when the King of the Sea marched upon Middle-earth. For seven days he journeyed with banner and trumpet, and he came to a hill, and he went up, and he set there his pavilion and his throne; and he sat him down in the midst of the land, and the tents of his host were ranged all about him, blue, golden, and white, as a field of tall flowers. Then he sent forth heralds, and he commanded Sauron to come before him and swear to him fealty.

And Sauron came. Even from his mighty tower of Barad-dur he came, and made no offer of battle. For he perceived that the power and majesty of the Kings of the Sea surpassed all rumour of them, so that he could not trust even the greatest of his servants to withstand them; and he saw not his time yet to work his will with the Dunedain. And he was crafty, well skilled to gain what he would by subtlety when force might not avail. Therefore he humbled himself before Ar-Pharazon and smoothed his tongue; and men wondered, for all that he said seemed fair and wise.

But Ar-Pharazon was not yet deceived, and it came into his mind that, for the better keeping of Sauron and of his oaths of fealty, he should be brought to Numenor, there to dwell as a hostage for himself and all his servants in Middle-earth. To this Sauron assented as one constrained, yet in his secret thought he received it gladly, for it chimed indeed with his desire. And Sauron passed over the sea and looked upon the land of Numenor, and on the city of Armenelos in the days of its glory, and he was astounded; but his heart within was filled the more with envy and hate.

Yet such was the cunning of his mind and mouth, and the strength of his hidden will, that ere three years had passed he had become closest to the secret counsels of the King; for flattery sweet as honey was ever on his tongue, and knowledge he had of many things yet unrevealed to Men. And seeing the favour that he had of their lord all the councillors began to fawn upon him, save one alone, Amandil lord of Andunie. Then slowly a change came over the land, and the hearts of the Elf-friends were sorely troubled, and many fell away out of fear; and although those that remained still called themselves the Faithful, their enemies named them rebels. For now, having the ears of men, Sauron with many arguments gainsaid all that the Valar had taught; and he bade men think that in the world, in the east and even in the west, there lay yet many seas and many lands for their winning, wherein was wealth uncounted. And still, if they should at the last come to the end of those lands and seas, beyond all lay the Ancient Darkness. 'And out of it the world was made. For Darkness alone is worshipful, and the Lord thereof may yet make other worlds to be gifts to those that serve him, so that the increase of their power shall find no end.'
How did the giant eyeball fit on the boat?
And wouldn't he have set fire to the sails?
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Post by wayfriend »

After all this time, Amazon finally said SOMETHING about their upcoming billion-dollar Tolkien series.

They've sent out a synopsis. But don't get excited ... it's a pretty vague synopsis.
Amazon Studios' forthcoming series brings to screens for the very first time the heroic legends of the fabled Second Age of Middle-earth's history. This epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and will take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien's pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness. Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Numenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.
It can [still] be anything.

I've read a lot of speculation and all the speculation seems to be based on the idea that this is one or two seasons of episodes.

I don't believe that. I think, for this money, Amazon is looking for at least 5 seasons, maybe more. A Game-of-Thrones-length series at least.

Which is exciting, because it means that more and more of the events of the Second Age are open to possibility.

BTW, the hints surely hint that the Fall of Numenor is involved, and the Forging of the Rings is involved (as it occurred in Lindon). But the Misty Mountains? Maybe they are bringing Dwarves into it.
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Post by Avatar »

I really don't remember enough about the 2nd Age...I should probably read The Silmarilion again. Maybe that's a good thing though...

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Post by wayfriend »

The Second Age in 30 seconds:

- Men have a glorious kingdom in Numenor
- Sauron, keeping low, comes to Numenor.
- Sauron induces Men to be jealous of the immortality of the Elves
- Men try to assault the Undying Lands, fail, are punished, and Numenor sinks.
- What's left of Men washes up on Middle Earth and become Arnor and Gondor

- Sauron goes to Linden and teaches the Elves to make Rings of Power.
- Sauron makes the one Ring in Mordor
- Elves and Men form the Last Alliance and war against Sauron
- Sauron is defeated, the Ring is lost.

Seems to me the end of the Second Age should have been the sinking of Numenor from the Wrath of Illuvatar. But it goes up until Sauron's defeat, which we see in the movie.
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Post by Rigel »

Huh... "the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien's pen," but wasn't Morgoth chained at the end of the first age?
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Post by Avatar »

"Three rings for Elven Kings under the sky..."

:D

(Nice summary WF thanks. :D )

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Post by wayfriend »

Rigel wrote:Huh... "the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien's pen," but wasn't Morgoth chained at the end of the first age?
It's a good question who this refers to.

Yes, Morgoth was chained at the end of the First Age -- for all intents and purposes, he's gone.

Either they are referring to Sauron, or someone we haven't thought of.

But I think they are referring to Sauron. In the Third Age, Sauron was just your average evil overlord directing his armies from his tower. In the First Age, he was but one of Morgoth's captians.

But in the Second Age ... oh, he did some really nasty things. He came to Numenor, pretending to be captured, and then worked his wiles on the lords of Men, transforming them from noble princes to envious, conniving, rebellious traitors. And he covertly worked with the Elves, teaching them how to create the Rings of Power, and he was able to have them made with back doors of control, all without their knowing.

<rubs hands together>
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Post by High Lord Tolkien »

wayfriend wrote:
Rigel wrote:Huh... "the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien's pen," but wasn't Morgoth chained at the end of the first age?
It's a good question who this refers to.

Yes, Morgoth was chained at the end of the First Age -- for all intents and purposes, he's gone.

Either they are referring to Sauron, or someone we haven't thought of.

But I think they are referring to Sauron. In the Third Age, Sauron was just your average evil overlord directing his armies from his tower. In the First Age, he was but one of Morgoth's captians.

But in the Second Age ... oh, he did some really nasty things. He came to Numenor, pretending to be captured, and then worked his wiles on the lords of Men, transforming them from noble princes to envious, conniving, rebellious traitors. And he covertly worked with the Elves, teaching them how to create the Rings of Power, and he was able to have them made with back doors of control, all without their knowing.

<rubs hands together>
I agree.
If you go by published works Morgoth barely gets a mention in the LotR.
Sauron is the big badguy throughout.
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Post by Fist and Faith »

True, true. But Morgoth is the one who introduced discord into the music in the first place. And his corruption is why we even have Sauron, as well as the Balrogs, and others.
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And disregards the rest
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Post by wayfriend »

True, but Tolkien wrote Morgoth out of the story before the Second Age began, which is when the Amazon series occurs.

Unless we get a glimpse of his giant form, chained and collared, floating in the darkness of the Timeless Void.

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Post by wayfriend »

Amazon acquires more Middle-earth with MGM purchase, Jeff Bezos steps down to focus on studio

Hobbits are now owned by Amazon, joining all-encompassing TV rights to The Lord of the Rings book and appendices rights.

It’s official: Amazon has acquired MGM Studios, including the longtime film and TV rights to The Hobbit and characters related. Within hours, CEO Jeff Bezos announced he is stepping down in July and moving to Hollywood to play with his major studio, of which the crown jewel is The Lord of the Rings.

[...] Amazon has full TV rights to The Lord of the Rings full stop – anything mentioned in the books and appendices. Now they have all the rights MGM previously held, from its 45 year old Saul Zaentz deal. [link]
This is middle earth-shaking, folks. LOTR will now be sold by Amazon.
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Post by wayfriend »

:nanaparty:
Amazon's 'Lord of the Rings' series finally has a name and plot

[...] "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" will center on the 20 rings mentioned, but not deeply explored, in the original "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. The series, set thousands of years before the events of the trilogy, will see heroes and villains new and familiar deal with the aftermath of the rings' creation and the source of evil behind them -- Sauron, according to its showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay.

Payne and McKay said in a statement that the series "unites all the major stories of Middle-Earth's second age: the forging of the rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, the epic tale of Numenor and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men," stories familiar to Tolkienites.
[link]
Amazon's 'Lord of the Rings' to Chronicle Sauron's Rise, Reveals Title

The eagerly anticipated, multi-season drama is called The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

As the name suggests, the story follows the forging of the original rings of power that allowed Sauron to spread darkness across Middle-earth.

"This is a title that we imagine could live on the spine of a book next to J.R.R. Tolkien's other classics. The Rings of Power unites all the major stories of Middle-earth's Second Age: the forging of the rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, the epic tale of Numenor, and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men," said showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay. "Until now, audiences have only seen onscreen the story of the One Ring - but before there was one, there were many _ and we're excited to share the epic story of them all."
[link]
Big news, and yet almost nothing is revealed that we didn't already guess.
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Post by wayfriend »

People are making quite a thing about how the teaser video didn't use any CGI, it was all practical effects.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbcY1n4bxpQ
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Post by High Lord Tolkien »

The 60-second-long trailer dropped yesterday.
The only thing I have to say about it at the moment is this:

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Post by Wosbald »

+JMJ+

Looks good to me. Image

Then again, this is coming from someone who, just last week, eagerly savored a much-anticipated rewatch of the extended Hobbit trilogy, so YMMV.

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