Amazon recently announced that they're making a Lord of the Rings TV series and, we still have a great many questions about it, but we know one thing for sure; it's going to be very expensive. Not only did Amazon have to shell out millions of dollars to get the global rights for the Lord of the Rings series, but the production costs are going to be through the roof as well. When all is said and done, this could be the most expensive TV show ever made.
Following the announcement, a report was released digging a little deeper into the financial ramifications of this Lord of the Rings TV show. Amazon has a lot of money to throw around, no doubt, but they're reportedly going to pay as much as $1 billion, when all production costs are factored in, to bring Middle Earth to the small screen. Here's what THR's recent report had to say about it.
Amazon's megadeal for The Lord of the Rings is believed to be for five seasons, plus a potential spinoff, with insiders putting the price tag for global rights at around $250 million. Once production budgets, casting, writers, producers and visual effects are factored in, the total for the Rings series, which will be set in Middle-earth and explore storylines preceding The Fellowship of the Ring, could hit $1 billion. Yes, $1 billion for a TV show."
Shows like Game of Thrones and other global megahits cost millions and millions of dollars to produce, but the possibility of this Lord of the Rings TV series possibly costing $1 billion is truly eye-opening. This report also reveals that the series would possibly run for five seasons, along with the potential spin-off, which was revealed to be on the table in Amazon's initial announcement. Considering that Amazon has already shelled out $250 million just to get the rights, this is already a rather expensive endeavor. Here's what Head of Scripted Series at Amazon Studios, Tal Yguado, had to say about the show when it was announced.
"The Lord of the Rings is a cultural phenomenon that has captured the imagination of generations of fans through literature and the big screen. 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."
What this series, based on J.R.R. Tolkien's iconic works, is going to be about exactly, has yet to be revealed. We do know that it will tell stories that take place before the events of The Fellowship of the Ring, so Peter Jackson's movies aren't going to be retold. Whatever stories we see in this new Lord of the Rings TV show, The Hollywood Reporter's new report makes it clear, Amazon is going to spend the money they need to spend to make it (hopefully) good.