Still in search of a hit drama, Amazon has acquired the television rights to the Lord of the Rings franchise. Quite frankly, we are skeptical.
Less than two weeks ago, Variety reported that J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic fantasy trilogy The Lord of the Rings might get the TV treatment. Upon seeing the news, I uttered an irritated exclamation and promptly forgot about it. In all likelihood, I thought, nothing would come of it; like so many potential shows, it wouldn’t pass the “idea” stage.
Well, so much for that. On Monday afternoon, Amazon announced that it has completed a deal for the global television rights to the beloved series. The acquisition involves a commitment to a multi-season show that will take place before The Fellowship of the Ring, as well as a possible spin-off.
As Game of Thrones prepares to wrap up, TV networks are desperate to find the next blockbuster series. Rumors allege that the rights for Lord of the Rings cost up to $250 million.
The news should thrill me. Both Tolkien’s novels and Peter Jackson’s cinematic adaptation were formative influences on me, enchanting me with epic adventures and timeless themes of courage and hope. I’ve read The Silmarillion multiple times. I own the extended editions of all three films. The behind-the-scenes features on those DVDs bear almost sole responsibility for my love of movies.
Yet, I feel only exasperation. Of course, an unnecessary TV show isn’t remotely comparable to sexual assault on the scale of Hollywood transgressions. But this feels like the perfect capper to a disillusioning month in the entertainment world. Everything you love will be ruined. Nothing is sacred. I suppose there is some cold comfort to be found in the knowledge that I am still capable of getting worked up over trivial things.
Maybe I shouldn’t pass judgment before the show has a script, cast, or title. Middle-earth boasts a sprawling history and rich mythology; it makes Westeros look like child’s play. In theory, it would be a dream come true to see the tragedy of Húrin or the romance of Beren and Lúthien on screen, in a mainstream medium. A revamped Lord of the Rings could rectify the series’ glaring, shameful lack of racial diversity. It could even have gay characters!
Unfortunately, people in film and television have a very narrow-minded view of fantasy. I don’t trust that Amazon, a company currently embroiled in controversy, has the imagination or guts to broaden that vision.
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Also, I haven’t forgotten The Hobbit.