Amazon Studios has announced plans to film “The Lord of the Rings” original series will film of the series in the U.K. “We want to thank the people and the government of New Zealand for their hospitality and dedication and for providing ‘The Lord of the Rings’ series with an incredible place to begin this epic journey,” said Vernon Sanders, VP and Co-Head of TV, Amazon Studios.
The initial filming location in New Zealand recently changed to the UK as part of a strategy intended to expand the studio's presence in the region. Principal photography for the first season recently wrapped up in New Zealand and is scheduled to premiere on Prime Video in more than 240 countries around the world on 2 September 2022.“We are grateful to the New Zealand Film Commission, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Tourism New Zealand, Auckland Unlimited, and others for their tremendous collaboration that supported the New Zealand film sector and the local economy during the production of Season One.”
Season One post production will continue in New Zealand through June 2022, and pre-production on Season Two will begin begin in the U.K. after the first of the year. "As we look to relocate the production to the U.K., we do not intend to actively pursue the Season One MoU five percent financial uplift with the New Zealand government or preserve the terms around that agreement, however we respectfully defer to our partners and will remain in close consultation with them around next steps," said Albert Cheng, COO & Co-Head of TV, Amazon Studios.
The new epic drama brings to screens for the very first time J.R.R. Tolkien’s fabled Second Age of Middle-earth's history. The series based on world-renowned literary work and winner of multiple awards is led by showrunners and executive producers J.D. Payne & Patrick McKay. They are joined by executive producers Lindsey Weber, Callum Greene, J.A. Bayona, Belén Atienza, Justin Doble, Jason Cahill, Gennifer Hutchison, Bruce Richmond, and Sharon Tal Yguado. Wayne Che Yip is co-executive producer and directs along with J.A. Bayona and Charlotte Brändström. Christopher Newman will serve as producer, while Ron Ames will serve as co-producer.