It was huge news once upon a time a few weeks ago, but snippets of information has been released every week which makes it still relevent to me, especially as I'm a huge fan of the ultimate epics that only came out in 2001/2/3. Its still a new-ish trilogy award winning critically acclaimed, addored by fans and the world alike so why do another adaptation of Tolkien's epics? The quick answer is, Amazon studios are absolute idiots!
It all seemed to begin with murmurings of Amazon wanting to cash in on the Game of Thrones hype (even though its winding down with one more series to go, I'm ignoring the spin-offs) and they wanted something similar for themselves. Except partly the reason why GoT worked so well was due to there being nothing like it on TV. Trying to make a GoT-esque show isn't going to win favours. Then the articles started arriving earlier this month saying 'Amazon to make LOTR TV show' and most people saying 'er why? The epic award winning masterpiece only came out recently (2001-2003, but still). It's too soon if not not actually needed at all'. Reaction has been on the whole...bad and that's not just because I think its a terrible idea, like making a live action CGI Peter Rabbit film, oh wait, they've done that and Beatrix Potter is turning in her grave.
The latest stories that have come out are saying that the show will in fact be a prequel to LOTR. So... The Hobbit then? Oh wait, that's also been done! The TV series will apprarently take place between the events of The Hobbit and LOTR, or better known as peace time. Great. Not only is this happening but theres a multi season deal going on. More bad news.
If Amazon are so desperate to make a show in Middle Earth (I hope Amazon is banned from entering New Zealand) then why don't they adapt stories worth telling such The Silmarillion. Although it doesn't exactly scream out to be made into a TV series, it is rich with stories such as 'Of Beren and Luthien', The Fall of Gondolin' and stories about Melkor, Sauron's mentor! These names and titles would be more relevant those who read the book or endured the Martin Shaw audiobooks, but my point is that there are other stories to tell and share. But alas, this doesn't seem to occur to Amazon.
“The Lord of the Rings is a cultural phenomenon that has captured the imagination of generations of fans through literature and the big screen,” said Sharon Tal Yguado, Head of Scripted Series at Amazon Studios. “We are honored to be working with the Tolkien Estate and Trust, HarperCollins and New Line on this exciting collaboration for television and are thrilled to be taking The Lord of the Rings fans on a new epic journey in Middle Earth.” (Deadline, Amazon Studios even acknowledges that everyone loved the films, again, so why do we need a TV series?
Continuing the news, its been said new storylines will be explored, taking place before The Fellowship of the Ring. BUT there are also some restrictions that have come from the Tolkien Estate on what can and can't be done in the series. This gives me a slither of hope but still not much. Speculations will continue no doubt and more news and rumours filtered out. Seeing as the £250 million rights bought has only happened recently, a TV series won't be in the next year so theres time for a positive spin on this (not in this post though, I really hate Amazon studios right now) and maybe the studio will see the error of theor ways and look once more to The Beginning of Days (another Silmarillion reference).
When is a prequel not a sequel, when its remake from Amazon Studios.
