Amazon begins to take the wraps off its billion dollar Middle Earth gamble – and Jeff Bezos holds the precious.
It might not yet be at the level of either spending or audience figures that Netflix boasts and enjoys, but Amazon will be attempting to significantly close the gap when it debuts its Lord Of The Rings TV show later this year.
Just to get to this stage has required an eye-watering financial commitment. Before even a frame of footage on the show had been shot, Amazon was said to have spent nine figures. It’s committed to multiple deals of the series as part of its deal with the late author J. R. R. Tolkien’s estate, and there’s a cool billion at least that’s going to be required to fulfil its commitment.
Still, this has been a pet project of Amazon founder and the owner of Earth’s money, Jeff Bezos. And be in no doubt of that, as he’s made himself an integral part of the title announcement for the new show.
Entitled The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power, Amazon has confirmed that it’ll be set thousands of years before the trilogy of films made under the stewardship of Peter Jackson and his extensive team some 20 years ago.
The title of the series, which has taken four years to get to this stage, has been revealed in a flash video. One that looks like this…
Bezos, in a Tweet, was not shy about affirming his involvement in the show…
The source of all power, on its way to Mordor
The show itself is set to debut at the end of the year, and has some pretty big – well, small – feet to fill. Expect more promotional material in due course. Do not be surprise if Mr Bezos inserts himself into it.
