We’ve already heard that Amazon’s new series based on Tolkien’s works will run 5 seasons, the first focused on a younger Aragorn. Now, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, current head of Amazon Studios Jennifer Salke gave us the first official word on the planned timeframe for the new show set in Middle-earth:
“It’ll be in production in two years; [on the air in] 2021 is the hope. But there are other people who wish it was 2020.”
The two year mark for production was included as a condition in the rights negotiation with the Tolkein estate, so that part comes as no surprise. It’s still good to hear a firm intended timeline from the studio!
There has already been tons of speculation on other aspects of the project, One example is the recent commotion over Peter Jackson, director of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit film series. Earlier this week, rumors of Jackson returning to Middle-earth gained a lot of traction before being suddenly squashed by a statement the director himself; Salke, however, said things weren’t quite so definite as they might have sounded, and that he might very well have a hand in the show after all.
“We’re in conversations with him that I think are very amicable about how much involvement he wants and what kind. We haven’t figured out exactly what that is yet. He may say he is involved or he’s not involved. We’re still very much in conversation with him about what kind of involvement he would propose.”
Want to keep up with what’s happening with the new series? For some of the best Lord of the Rings content, news and speculation, I recommend @TheOneRingnet on twitter.
