Star Trek writers to head Amazon's Lord of the Rings series

  • 29/07/2018
Amazon says JD Payne and Patrick McKay will develop of the new Lord of the Rings television series.
Amazon says JD Payne and Patrick McKay will develop of the new Lord of the Rings television series. Photo credit: Lord of the Rings

Amazon says JD Payne and Patrick McKay will develop of the new Lord of the Rings television series.

Amazon head Jennifer Salke made the announcement on Saturday (local time).

"The rich world that J.R.R. Tolkien created is filled with majesty and heart, wisdom and complexity," the longtime friends and writing partners said in a statement.

"We are absolutely thrilled to be partnering with Amazon to bring it to life anew. We feel like Frodo, setting out from the Shire, with a great responsibility in our care  it is the beginning of the adventure of a lifetime."

The Lord of the Rings TV show is set to be a hugely expensive project - Amazon already reportedly spent US$250 million for the rights alone.

The series is committed to at least five seasons, plus a potential spin-off, and may include material from the six of Sir Peter's Tolkien films.

Ms Salke said the series will be in production within two years and hopefully on air by 2021.

Payne and McKay are also working on the next Star Trek movie and upcoming Dwayne Johnson-Emily Blune film Jungle Cruise.

Newshub.