Hardly any other series in recent years has been so eagerly awaited as “The Lord of the Rings” from Amazon Prime Video. Measured by the high level of visibility, however, there is comparatively little information about the mega-project due to a rigorous secrecy strategy. TECHBOOK has compiled everything that is known so far.
JRR Tolkien’s fantasy world was formative for the entire genre and to this day holds a unique place in the hearts of many fans. Peter Jackson’s successful The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, released in the early 2000s, cemented that status. When Amazon then announced in 2017 that it had acquired the worldwide television rights to Tolkien’s work and was planning a series, the rumor mill immediately simmered. Little has changed to this day. Because despite the years that have passed since then, little is known about the big project.
Amazon only feeds the expectant fans bit by bit and has so far been reluctant to provide information about the setting and plot. In this article you will find all the official information and the most exciting, most likely rumors and fun facts about the Amazon Prime Video mega-project.
Top secrecy
As already mentioned, Amazon does its best not to leak any information about the series production. From the official side there is now a part of the cast with role names and a vague synopsis on their own channels. In February 2022, the company also released 23 character posters, which, while showing many details, only show a portion of the characters. About the head is not visible.
The filming locations were also subject to the utmost secrecy. The first season was primarily shot in New Zealand, as was the film trilogy. In order to keep onlookers away, fake teams were sent across the country to lay false tracks. The authors also worked in sheltered facilities. According to Amazon Studios boss Jennifer Salke, the windows were sealed with tape and access was only possible by fingerprint. The fact that such measures are taken in productions of this magnitude is in itself nothing unusual, but Amazon has been using this tactic so successfully so far that comparatively little information has made it to the public.
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When is the Lord of the Rings series coming out on Amazon?
What is certain in any case and has been publicly communicated by Amazon is the release date. After filming ended in summer 2021, September 2, 2022 is now the date for the first season. We also know that the first season will be titled The Rings of Power.
How much has Amazon already planned?
The first season will come in 2022, but a second has already been commissioned. Insiders report five planned seasons. The first season will most likely consist of eight episodes, which would be in line with the current trend for large blockbuster series.
In addition, it is now almost certain that the first two episodes will be released on September 2nd, although they should each be as long as a feature film. All other episodes then appear weekly – a tactic that has also proven itself with the competition.
Here’s what we know about the plot of Amazon’s Lord of the Rings series
Tolkien’s two novels have already been filmed. Peter Jackson’s films depict the plot of the “Lord of the Rings” books, the more recent three films (2012-2014) refer to the first published book “The Hobbit”, which also tells the prehistory at the same time. Amazon’s series now wants to start much earlier and thus be based on further literature by Tolkien, who, among other things, designed one of the most detailed fantasy worlds ever with further stories, which would certainly provide material for many other blockbuster projects. As early as 2019, Middle-earth maps, which can be seen on the series’ Twitter account, gave the first clues. They show, among other things, the whole of Arda (the complete narrated world) and not just the continent
Amazon’s own table of contents speaks of the 2nd age (possibly the end of the 1st age). To understand: “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings” take place in the 3rd age and thus about 3000 years later. In terms of time, the events of the 2nd age are then probably tightened up significantly in the series, as this section also actually lasts several thousand years. This is particularly unsuitable for series because new characters would have to be introduced all the time. According to TheOneRing.net, the Amazon series will, among other things, show the rise and fall of the Elvish island kingdom of Númenor and the rise of an evil force, most likely Sauron. Amazon confirmed this via retweet and there is now an official synopsis. Amazon still doesn’t let you look really deep with this one:
“Starting in a time of relative peace, we follow various characters as they confront the resurgence of evil in Middle-earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of Lindon and the Isles of Númenor, to the farthest corners of the map, these kingdoms and characters will leave a legacy that will live on forever.”
Amazon
The first teaser published in February does not reveal much more, but gives a first insight into the look of the series:
The previously known cast and what they tell us
It is certain that there will be a reunion with the well-known characters Galadriel and Elrond. The two immortal elf princes also play a central role in “The Lord of the Rings”. In theory, the Amazon series could even bring back nine characters who lived 3,000 years ago. The following actors and their roles have already been confirmed:
- Morfydd Clark as Galadriel
- Robert Aramayo as Elrond
- Owain Arthur as Durin IV (Dwarf Prince)
- Sophia Nomwete plays Disa (dwarf princess)
- Markella Kavenagh as Nori (Hobbit protoform)
- Joseph Mawle as Adar (“corrupted Elf”)
- Maxim Baldry as Isildur
- Ema Horvath as Carine (Isildur’s sister?)
- Lloyd Owen as Elendil (Isildur’s father)
- Nazanin Boniadi as Bronwyn (village healer)
- Ismael Cruz Cordova as Arondir (Elf who has an affair with Bronwyn)
- Charlie Vickers as Half Rim
- Daniel Weyman as “The Stranger”/ “Meteor Man”
- Trystan Gravelle as Pharazôn
- Benjamin Walker as Gil-galad
Other actors are known, but without role designation. It is striking that mostly unknown actors are used.
In addition to Galadriel and Elrond, Maxim Baldry as Isildur is particularly suspicious. As a reminder, Isildur cuts the one ring from Sauron’s finger in the great battle that ends the 2nd Age and then, under his spell, prevents his annihilation. Benjamin Walker was also cast as Gil-galad, the last High King of the Noldor Elves, the first bearer of one of the three Elven Rings. Another big role name is that of Dwarf King Durin IV, played by Owain Arthur. He ruled the great kingdom of Moria, the ruins of which the Fellowship traverse in the first The Lord of the Rings film. So all of these roles give us further clues as to the planned plot.
people behind the camera
John D. Payne and Patrick McKay, who are probably best known for the film “Star Trek Beyond”, were known early on as series developers. JA Bayona (“Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”) is directing the first two lengthy episodes. Other well-known directors include Charlotte Brändström and Wayne Yip. Brandström has recently worked on major projects such as Netflix’s “The Witcher”, and Yip was involved in the other major Amazon fantasy series “The Wheel of Time”, which was released in 2021.
Bryan Cogman, former Game of Thrones screenwriter, is also available as a consultant. More good news for fans of the Peter Jackson films: Howard Shore will once again be in charge of the music, along with Bear McCreary (“The Walking Dead”). Contrary to persistent rumours, Peter Jackson himself is not on board in any capacity.
Exciting rumors and fun facts
Amazon’s Lord of the Rings series is currently estimated to cost $1 billion. Season one alone accounts for $650 million of this, plus $250 million for the rights. But that also gives hope for a detailed and authentic world building. Allegedly, Amazon boss Jeff Bezos personally negotiated the rights because he is a huge Tolkien fan.
According to Amazon, the age rating will be 16 years (USA 14), although the series should also be suitable for a younger audience who want to watch the episodes together with their parents.
Some casting calls provided entertainment of a different kind: people who were particularly tall or short, unusual faces and “wonderful noses” were among the things they were looking for. Also, as a result of one of these calls, there was a big debate about possible nude scenes between hobbits, which even led to a petition.
A picture of young Elrond was also hotly debated. The later elf prince can be seen on it with comparatively short hair: an obvious no-go for fans of the film trilogy.
The first teaser for Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power was shown at the Super Bowl 2022 in February. As is well known, only the biggest advertising clips are shown at this huge sporting event and anyone who wants to place themselves there has to pay a lot for it. For Amazon, however, the effort seems to have been worth it: the teaser is one of the most successful Super Bowl clips of all time.