Elijah Wood, who played Frodo Baggins in Peter Jackson’sLord of the Ringsmovie trilogy, has some strong opinions with regards to the title of Amazon’s upcoming series adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy adventure franchise. The actor says the Amazon series shouldn’t be calledLord of the Ringsbecause it takes place a millennia before the events ofThe Hobbit.
Amazon’sLord of the Ringsseries is set in the Second Age of Middle-earth and is considered a prequel to Tolkien’sLord of the RingsandThe Hobbit. TheLord of the Ringsfilm and novel trilogytook place near the end of the Third Age of the fictional world of Middle-earth. For context, the Second Age spans 3,441 years and it was during this time when Sauron creates the One Ring to rule all the other Rings of Power.
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While speaking with Empire, Wood voiced his confusion about the title of Amazon’s upcoming show. “I find it very bizarre that they’re calling itLord of the Ringsas a shorthand because it’s notLord of the Rings!” he said. “It takes place in the Second Age of Middle-earth.” This isn’t the first time the 40-year-old actor has talked about the prequel’s unofficial title. Last summer, he said he found it “slightly misleading” because the material exists chronologically further back “in history in the lore ofLord of the Rings”and long beforecharacters like Bilbo or Frodowere even born.
Despite his gripe with the show’s title, Wood said he’d “absolutely” be interested in joining the show if it made sense and was “organic to what they’re doing.” Amazon spent $250 million to buy the rights to the franchise, which makes it the most expensive TV series ever. For perspective,Peter Jackson’sLord of the Ringstrilogy has a combined budget of $281 million and grossed $2.92 billion worldwide.
Godzilla vs. Kongscreenwriters J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay are developing the high-priced series. Meanwhile, J.A. Bayona (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) is directing the first two episodes. Thelarge ensemble cast includesGame of Thrones star Robert Aramayo, Markella Kavenagh, and Maxim Baldry (Skins). TheLord of the Ringsseries resumed filming in New Zealand last September after production was halted due to the pandemic.
The Lord of the Ringsseries is expected to premiere in 2021 on Amazon Prime Video.
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