TV series set in Middle Earth may be coming

[Glorelendil]

[So we can fantasize about wizards and dragons and magic swords, but not about a screen adaptation of Beren and Luthien? That’s just too unrealistic?

Sometimes, Tolkien's secondary world is more convincing than the primary world.

Good point.

I would have stopped reading had Ted Sandyman ever ascended to the throne of Gondor and Arnor. It would have ruined the believability.

And yet, in the real world...

[Majestic]

I see what you did there.

[CryAxe]

I'm hoping that the series doesn't revolve around the main characters of tLotR. There are so many stories that could be told. The show doesn't have to hamstring itself by using existing characters.

That would make many of the dangers that the characters are sure to face much less interesting, because everyone would know that they survive into the trilogy so they they can't be permanently killed off, maimed, disfigured or have their character progression go in any direction other than steering them towards who they are in the books.

It would be unfortunate and unnecessary to limit the writers ability to fully realize the potential of this opportunity to tell new tales and discover new characters.

[Glorelendil]

I see what you did there.

Maybe it will be a reality show of people auditioning to be Saruman's protege.

[Enevhar Aldarion]

I'm hoping that the series doesn't revolve around the main characters of tLotR. There are so many stories that could be told. The show doesn't have to hamstring itself by using existing characters.

That would make many of the dangers that the characters are sure to face much less interesting, because everyone would know that they survive into the trilogy so they they can't be permanently killed off, maimed, disfigured or have their character progression go in any direction other than steering them towards who they are in the books.

It would be unfortunate and unnecessary to limit the writers ability to fully realize the potential of this opportunity to tell new tales and discover new characters.

They will already be restricted in what they can do without changing the known events of the books. And even if the series is not focused around any of the main characters from the books, I am sure that in Season One at least, that there will be many "guest" appearances by well-known characters. If they do go with the adventures of a young Aragorn, they could go the Conan-style route, where he always survives each episode, but there is a rotating cast of previously unknown characters that go with him on the adventures, many of whom may not survive to the end. Many of the stories I read about Conan had his companions either dying during the story or only going with him on a couple of adventures.

[Otaku-sempai]

They will already be restricted in what they can do without changing the known events of the books. And even if the series is not focused around any of the main characters from the books, I am sure that in Season One at least, that there will be many "guest" appearances by well-known characters. If they do go with the adventures of a young Aragorn, they could go the Conan-style route, where he always survives each episode, but there is a rotating cast of previously unknown characters that go with him on the adventures, many of whom may not survive to the end. Many of the stories I read about Conan had his companions either dying during the story or only going with him on a couple of adventures.

That's going to depend on the details of the setting for this show. We know that it is set before the events of The Lord of the Rings (or at least before the War of the Ring); it might also be set decades or even centuries before the events of The Hobbit. That would mean no chance of Aragorn, no chance of Bilbo, possibly no chance of Gimli or Legolas or even Gandalf (if the show is set in the Second Age).

[Enevhar Aldarion]

They will already be restricted in what they can do without changing the known events of the books. And even if the series is not focused around any of the main characters from the books, I am sure that in Season One at least, that there will be many "guest" appearances by well-known characters. If they do go with the adventures of a young Aragorn, they could go the Conan-style route, where he always survives each episode, but there is a rotating cast of previously unknown characters that go with him on the adventures, many of whom may not survive to the end. Many of the stories I read about Conan had his companions either dying during the story or only going with him on a couple of adventures.

That's going to depend on the details of the setting for this show. We know that it is set before the events of The Lord of the Rings (or at least before the War of the Ring); it might also be set decades or even centuries before the events of The Hobbit. That would mean no chance of Aragorn, no chance of Bilbo, possibly no chance of Gimli or Legolas or even Gandalf (if the show is set in the Second Age).

I would be shocked if they set it in any time other than the one known to those who have seen the movies, if they even have the rights to earlier time periods to begin with. They want a large audience, not a small one of just us Tolkien enthusiasts.

[Otaku-sempai]

I would be shocked if they set it in any time other than the one known to those who have seen the movies, if they even have the rights to earlier time periods to begin with. They want a large audience, not a small one of just us Tolkien enthusiasts.

In order to be able to make this show, the producers must at least have the appropriate rights for The Lord of the Rings and its Appendices. That covers much of the history of both the Second and Third Ages. However, I agree that a series set in the years between The Hobbit and LotR seems more likely.

[Er-Murazor]

There are quite a few stories that can be mined, including The Tale of Arwen & Aragorn and even Elladan & Elrohir's story (since they were unceremoniously cut from the live-action movies).

[Enevhar Aldarion]

Things are looking more promising if Sir Ian gets his way:

https://www.altpress.com/news/entry/sir ... _tv_series