Though details are still fairly scarce, we are moving closer and closer to Amazon’s billion-dollar investment in “The Lord of the Rings” TV series coming to fruition. And with development ramping up, and production looming, the studio is finally ready to tell fans who will be behind the camera to bring Middle-earth alive one more time.
According to Deadline, Amazon has tapped J.A. Bayona to direct the first two episodes of the highly-anticipated “The Lord of the Rings” TV series. In addition to becoming the first director to tackle the massive fantasy franchise since the Oscar-winning work of Peter Jackson, Bayona will serve as an executive producer on the series along with his producing partner Belén Atienza.
“J.R.R. Tolkien created one of the most extraordinary and inspiring stories of all time, and as a lifelong fan it is an honor and a joy to join this amazing team,” said Bayona. “I can’t wait to take audiences around the world to Middle-earth and have them discover the wonders of the Second Age, with a never before seen story.”
The story of the ‘Rings’ TV series follows the aforementioned “Second Age” which is well before the events of the film trilogy. The Second Age follows the rise of the evil Sauron and the beginnings of the war for the rings between him and the elves. The Age comes to an end with the defeat of Sauron.
“We are thrilled to have J.A. and Belen joining the fellowship as we continue to develop this epic series,” said series writers JD Payne and Patrick McKay. “We have been great admirers of J.A.’s work for years, and know that his epic, cinematic, and deeply heartfelt aesthetic is the perfect sensibility to bring Middle-earth to life anew.”
“The scope and breadth of J.A.’s world-building is exactly the right fit for our ambitions for ‘The Lord of the Rings,’” said Jennifer Salke, Head of Amazon Studios. “He’s a passionate and collaborative director who has brought new stories to life with his multitalented producing partner, Belén. We are all excited for them to join our writers J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, and we can’t think of a better way to begin this journey to Middle-earth.”
Before this “Lord of the Rings” gig, Bayona was best known for his work on the film “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” as well as the films “A Monster Calls” and “The Impossible.”
No word on when we might see ‘Rings’ arrive on Amazon Prime Video, but there’s no doubt that the studio will make sure everyone is aware, considering how much money is on the line.