Amazon Prime Video has been putting some of that $500 million dollar budget to good use for its highly-anticipated – and highly ambitious – The Lord of the Rings prequel series. Never one to skimp on a flagship property’s marketing rollout, this time around, the burgeoning studio-streamer has solicited the services of an actual blacksmith to unveil the official title of its hella expensive Tolkien adaptation… who physically forged the damn thing in a bloody foundry, molten metal, redwood moulding, and all. Introducing: The Rings of Power.
“[It’s] a title that we imagine could live on the spine of a book next to JRR Tolkien’s other classics,” explains JD Payne and Patrick McKay in a joint statement.
“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, the epic tale of Numenor, and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men.”
“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.”
The accompanying narration for Amazon’s title reveal video linked above is as follows (which hardcore fans will be sure to recognise):
Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky.
Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone.
Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die.
One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne.
In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie.
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Filming wrapped in New Zealand for season 1 of Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power midway last year, which the studio celebrated by offering fans a first look of Middle-earth (pictured above), as well as finally locking in a release date.
The frontrunner for world’s most expensive TV show is scheduled to premiere on September 2nd of 2022 in 240 international territories via Prime Video, almost eight years since the release of Peter Jackson’s universally panned, closing instalment of The Hobbit trilogy – The Battle of the Five Armies. The wait, however, promises to be a worthwhile one.
“As Bilbo says: ‘Now I think I am quite ready to go on another journey,’” JD Payne and Patrick McKay expressed on a previous occasion.
“Living and breathing Middle-earth these many months has been the adventure of a lifetime. We cannot wait for fans to have the chance to do so as well.”
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“I can’t express enough just how excited we all are to take our global audience on a new and epic journey through Middle-earth,” adds Jennifer Salke, CEO of Amazon Studios.
“Our talented producers, cast, creative, and production teams have worked tirelessly in New Zealand to bring this untold and awe-inspiring vision to life.”
For those of you who have somehow managed to avoid the copious amounts of news coverage, the upcoming series will depict the “heroic legends” of Middle-earth’s fabled Second Age history for the very first time.
Set thousands of years before the events of JRR Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, it’ll 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, Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power 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, the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, and the furthest reaches of the map – these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.
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While not directly referenced by name, given the confirmation the story is set during the Second Age, as well as the mention of “the greatest villain” ever conceived by Tolkien, many have safely assumed the rise of Sauron will serve as the show’s main conflict.
Earlier reports have also hinted that this entire affair will be slapped with an R-rating. And not just for the violence, either. The highly-confidential production had 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.”
Naturally, many were quick to voice their opinions regarding the HBO-ification of yet another beloved fantasy 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 ruffled some feathers. Though Amazon Prime Video has yet to confirm or deny the latest reveal.
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Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has been directed by Charlotte Brändström and produced by Christopher Newman. Showrunners Payne and McKay have also served as executive producers of the series alongside Lindsey Weber, Callum Greene, J.A. Bayona, Belén Atienza, Justin Doble, Jason Cahill, Gennifer Hutchison, Bruce Richmond, and Sharon Tal Yguado. Wayne Che Yip has co-executive produced.
In terms of onscreen talent, here are some of the more notable names featured in the XL ensemble cast:
- Robert Aramayo (Game of Thrones)
- Owain Arthur (The Palace)
- Nazanin Boniadi (Homeland)
- Tom Budge (The Pacific)
- Morfydd Clark (Pride & Prejudice & Zombies)
- Ismael Cruz Córdova (The Mandalorian)
- Ema Horvath (The Gallows Act II)
- Markella Kavenagh (Romper Stomper)
- Joseph Mawle (Game of Thrones)
- Tyroe Muhafidin (Treasure Maps & Tinned Spaghetti)
- Megan Richards (Wanderlust)
- Dylan Smith (Total Recall)
- Charlie Vickers (Medici)
- Daniel Weyman (Gentleman Jack)
Once again, mark out September 2nd in those brand new 2022 calendars for Amazon’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
