Although it's still a long way away from hitting our screens, the sheer amount of money and ambition involved in Amazon's 'Lord Of The Rings' series is enough to keep us interested in it.
Previously, the series was announced to have a budget somewhere in the region of $1 billion with Amazon forking out $250 million just to secure the television rights, with a five-season commitment added in from the beginning. Since then, names like Peter Jackson have been floated as possible contenders to take on directing the series and while no casting has been confirmed for it as of yet, two screenwriters have now been hired.
JD Payne and Patrick McKay were in the writer's room for 'Star Trek Beyond' and are currently working on the fourth Star Trek film, with Deadline adding that JJ Abrams personally recommended them both for the job. Deadline's report also states that conversations are ongoing with Peter Jackson to have him involved in some shape or form, however an interview last month ruled out the possibility of Jackson having a full-time role in the series.
The report from Deadline, however, did state that New Zealand is being looked at as a possible location for filming, as much of the sets used in the movie are still intact and could be easily brought up to scratch for filming and that they're keen to point out that it isn't a case of remaking the movies, "but we’re also not starting from scratch. So, it’ll be characters you love."
Ian McKellen, if you're reading this, start growing your beard out now.