Amazon unveils first look at its $465M-budget The Lord of The Rings TV series and premiere date

First look at The Lord of The Rings TV series is unveiled as Amazon’s $465M-budget show gets premiere date

Amazon Studios announced Monday that ‘a new journey begins’ with its untitled prequel series based on The Lord of the Rings, which premieres on September 2, 2022.

The streaming giant also unveiled the first image from the show set in Middle-earth’s Second Age of a mystery caped character looking at a castle.

Showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay reportedly wrapped the $465-budget eight-episode first season in New Zealand in April, and there’s plans for four additional seasons.  

Exciting! Amazon Studios announced Monday that ‘a new journey begins’ with its untitled prequel series based on The Lord of the Rings, which premieres on September 2, 2022

Closer look: The streaming giant also unveiled the first image from the show set in Middle-earth's Second Age of a mystery caped character looking at a castle

Closer look: The streaming giant also unveiled the first image from the show set in Middle-earth’s Second Age of a mystery caped character looking at a castle

Overall, the five-season production deal cost Amazon an eye-popping $1B, which makes history as the most expensive TV series ever created – according to THR.

By contrast, HBO typically shelled out $100M per season of its hit show Game of Thrones.

The ensemble cast are mostly unknowns with Morfydd Clark (His Dark Materials) replacing two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett as the royal immortal Elf, Galadriel.

‘I can’t express enough just how excited we all are to take our global audience on a new and epic journey through Middle-earth!’ Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke said in a statement. 

On-set snap: Showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay reportedly wrapped the $465-budget eight-episode first season in New Zealand in April, and there's plans for four more seasons

On-set snap: Showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay reportedly wrapped the $465-budget eight-episode first season in New Zealand in April, and there’s plans for four more seasons

One ring to rule them all: Overall, the five-season production deal cost Amazon an eye-popping $1B, which makes history as the most expensive TV series ever created

One ring to rule them all: Overall, the five-season production deal cost Amazon an eye-popping $1B, which makes history as the most expensive TV series ever created

The ensemble cast are mostly unknowns with Morfydd Clark (pictured April 7) replacing two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett as the royal immortal Elf, Galadriel

Cate Blanchett pictured as Galadriel in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)

Newcomers: The ensemble cast are mostly unknowns with Morfydd Clark (L) replacing two-time Oscar winner Cate Blanchett (R) as the royal immortal Elf, Galadriel

Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke (pictured in 2019) said in a statement: 'I can't express enough just how excited we all are to take our global audience on a new and epic journey through Middle-earth!'

Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke (pictured in 2019) said in a statement: ‘I can’t express enough just how excited we all are to take our global audience on a new and epic journey through Middle-earth!’

‘Our talented producers, cast, creative, and production teams have worked tirelessly in New Zealand to bring this untold and awe-inspiring vision to life.’

The epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings films. 

Peter Jackson’s beloved original trilogy amassed 17 Oscars and $2.991B at the global box office, while the Hobbit trilogy earned $2.931B at the box office to far less critical acclaim.

It stemmed from the classic fantasy novels The Fellowship of the Ring (1954), The Two Towers (1954), and The Return of the King (1955) written by J.R.R. Tolkien.

'Greetings from Middle-earth!' The epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings films (director Charlotte Brändström pictured on May 13)

‘Greetings from Middle-earth!’ The epic drama is set thousands of years before the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings films (director Charlotte Brändström pictured on May 13)

Classics: Peter Jackson's beloved original trilogy amassed 17 Oscars and $2.991B at the global box office, while the Hobbit trilogy earned $2.931B at the box office to far less critical acclaim

Classics: Peter Jackson’s beloved original trilogy amassed 17 Oscars and $2.991B at the global box office, while the Hobbit trilogy earned $2.931B at the box office to far less critical acclaim

Advertisement