Amazon’s ridiculously expensive Lord of the Rings TV series could be taking a page out of Game of Thrones‘ book(s) for its approach towards adult content – and we’re not just talking about the violence, either.
The notoriously secretive production has once again been outed by their online listings and casting calls, seeking out an intimacy coordinator – think the sex equivalent of a fight choreographer – as well as actors “comfortable with nudity”.
Adding an element of sex is fast becoming the norm in the realm of fantasy shows post-Game of Thrones. But while the likes of Game of Thrones and even The Witcher have source material explicitly alluding to sex, Lord of the Rings does not (there’s a joke somewhere here about the fandom but it feels lazy). J.R.R. Tolkien was, after all, as Catholic as they come.
RELATED: ‘Lord Of The Rings’ TV Series Wants To Cast Weird-Looking Extras.
Naturally, fans were quick to voice their opinions regarding the HBO-ification of a beloved universe. Already uncertain about the upcoming series’ direction given it’s an entirely unexplored storyline, the prospect of a Lord of the Rings TV series earning its R-rating for the wrong reasons has certainly ruffled feathers. Amazon Prime Video, however, has yet to confirm or deny the latest reveal.
Set in the Second Age of Middle-Earth, Amazon’s Lord of the Ring TV series will star:
- Robert Aramayo (Game of Thrones)
- Joseph Mawle (Game of Thrones)
- Ismael Cruz Córdova (The Mandalorian)
- Nazanin Boniadi (Homeland)
- Tom Budge (The Pacific)
- Owain Arthur (The Palace)
- Morfydd Clark (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies)
- Ema Horvath (The Gallows Act II)
- Markella Kavenagh (Romper Stomper)
- Charlie Vickers (Medici)
- Daniel Weyman (Gentleman Jack)
With a current total series budget exceeding US$1 billion – US$250 million for the rights alone – filming has just resumed in New Zealand, and a release scheduled for sometime in 2021.
