Amazon's billion-dollar 'Lord Of The Rings' series is beginning to take shape and while details are somewhat sketchy, some leads and stories have leaked out so far.

Previous reports tell us that each season will focus in on a certain character from the novel, but the timing is still unclear as to whether it's set before or after the events of 'Lord of the Rings'. Likewise, casting hasn't even begun yet and there's no word on whether or not actors from the original trilogy will be reprising their roles.

Ian McKellen, for his part, has said that he's more than willing to return as Gandalf, however Hugo Weaving - who played the elf leader, Elrond - seemed not to be holding out hope for a return to Rivendell. Speaking to us on a bonus episode of The Filum Show, Weaving did add that he'd been hanging out with Peter Jackson and some of the people from 'Lord of the Rings' for his upcoming movie, 'The Mortal Engines'.

"I don't know anything about it, I've been out to New Zealand, hanging out with Peter Jackson and a lot of those guys, but no, I haven't talked about Lord of the Rings, I think that's that gone for me," said Weaving.

Again, it's not to say that Elrond won't feature in the new series, but given how Weaving was digitally de-aged for 'The Hobbit: Battle Of The Five Armies', the technology does exist if it's needed. It's just a shame we won't get to see incredible acting scenes like this again.

No release date has been set for Amazon's 'Lord of the Rings' television series. 'Black 47' is currently in Irish cinemas.