The Rings Of Power (upcoming Lord Of The Rings TV series)

[Ceasar’s Palace]

https://youtu.be/2qN_3HITC7U

I know there used to be a few Tolkien fans among us...

So, anyone interested?
I am.

To give you an idea of where I stand in the films:
I would rate The Lord Of The Rings trilogy 9.5 out of 10. The Hobbit trilogy, despite its many flaws, still 7 out of 10.
(btw, the 0.5 minus for Lotr is for setting Frodo and Sam up against each other in the third film. I remember sitting in the theatre, shouting “this never happened!”)

The series will start in september, on Amazon and is set in the second Age, whereas the films were in the third Age.
It will tell the story of the forging of the Rings and the rise and fall of the Atlantis-like island of Númenor.

Unfortunately they only can use whatever is mentioned of the stories in the appendices of The Lord Of The Rings book.
And that’s just a brief summary of the events.

Amazon has been hyping the sh!t out of the thing, which they’ve done impressively IMO.
A lot of hardcore Tolkien fans have been outraged by what is known up to now.
They say it will be a Game Of Thrones clone and betray everything Tolkien stands for.

I’m not of that opinion. Yes, there will be deviations, yes, a lot of compromises.
But the only thing I have reservations about is the black Elf that will be featured.
And even that I can get used to.

Other things criticized are the inclusion of Hobbits and Galadriel as a warrior.
The latter I think is defendable, because Tolkien has described her as actively taking part
in battle. With the Hobbits, as I understand it, the idea is that they are portrayed as a secretive,
wandering people. And that’s a clever loophole, IMO, even if those stories will be very much fan fiction.

What do you guys and girls think?

[SunshipVoyager]

I’m cautiously optimistic but not crazy about the condensed historical timeline and super clean look of the released images. I thought the LotR trilogy was flawed but marvelous, 9 out of 10.

The less said about The Hobbit abominations the better, 3 out of 10.

[soundchaser09]

I loved the LOTR trilogy, Jackson knew how to craft those books into excellent entertainment, the Hobbit had a strong first two movies with a fairly weak ending- I actually prefer the Extended cuts.

This TV show has potential, I hope the show creators fully realise Tolkien's vision, with Sauron and the Numenoreans, I doubt they will be able to pull it off somehow. Definitely a time period that intrigues me- I actually think the First Age would have been even more interesting, the story of the Simarils with Ungoliant and Melkor.

[Ceasar’s Palace]

I actually think the First Age would have been even more interesting, the story of the Simarils with Ungoliant and Melkor.

Yes. Beren & Luthien would be my favorite. That’s the mother of all quests. (And a love story too) But it can’t happen until the movie rights are for sale...

[Grey Wolf]

The less said about The Hobbit abominations the better

You took the words right out of my mouth!

I've loved the books since the mid-70's when I received a box set of "The Hobbit" and "The Lord of the Rings" as a Christmas gift. And I loved reading through the appendices about the history of Middle-earth. I knew back then that there were so many stories buried there condensed down to a brief timeline. I just hope the creators of this series will honor Tolkien's creation and not abuse it like what happened with the Hobbit trilogy (which should never have been a trilogy anyway). Can't say I really give a rat's behind what the "purists" think, though.

BTW I loved the LOTR movies too. I have the extended versions on DVD. I don't like some of the additions the writers did to add more "conflict" such as the above mentioned Sam/Frodo situation, but some of the other changes were really good like giving Arwen more to do.

So yes I'm looking forward to the new series. Besides, Prime is the only streaming service I can afford right now.

[Olorin]

I loved the LOTR movies and liked the Hobbit movies (none are perfect but adaptations never are. I'm looking forward to the Amazon series but was very crestfallen this week when I learned they don[t have rights to material from the Silmarillion or Unfinished Tales. That's the real meat on the bones for a Second Age story, and how they can do justice with only about 5 pages of Second Age material from the LOTR appendices is beyond me. I don't know if they didn't try to get the broader rights, or weren't able to. In any case, some sites have reported that the production can approach the Estate on a case-by-case basis for rights to specific things from the Sil and Unfinished Talkes. I hope that's true but so far it is unconfirmed.

[Ceasar’s Palace]

I loved the LOTR movies and liked the Hobbit movies (none are perfect but adaptations never are. I'm looking forward to the Amazon series but was very crestfallen this week when I learned they don[t have rights to material from the Silmarillion or Unfinished Tales. That's the real meat on the bones for a Second Age story, and how they can do justice with only about 5 pages of Second Age material from the LOTR appendices is beyond me. I don't know if they didn't try to get the broader rights, or weren't able to. In any case, some sites have reported that the production can approach the Estate on a case-by-case basis for rights to specific things from the Sil and Unfinished Talkes. I hope that's true but so far it is unconfirmed.

Thanks for chipping in, but you’re almost obliged to...

I’ve been thinking, they could cleverly sneak Gandalf in, in his original maian form! You could have scenes with Olorin watching the events from within Valinor.
He wouldn’t even have to say anything, he just watches and is sad, or surprised, or angry. And they could ask Ian McKellen to play the part.
And I guess that wouldn’t violate copyright, because they wouldn’t say who it is.

I can totally see it....

[soundchaser09]

just no more Rhosgobel rabbits please:

[Ceasar’s Palace]

just no more Rhosgobel rabbits please:

Those were cute.

I can do without Alfrid dressing up as a woman.

[Grey Wolf]

just no more Rhosgobel rabbits please:

Doctor Who* should not be in Middle-earth.


* Yeah, I know that's not the character's name.

[Yorkshire Square]

Doctor Who* should not be in Middle-earth.


* Yeah, I know that's not the character's name.

But then again, neither should Dracula nor Sharpe... 😉

[Grey Wolf]

But then again, neither should Dracula nor Sharpe... 😉

Dracula was awesome as Saruman.

(had to look up Sharpe)

Sean Bean needed killing, it's what he does best.

[Imperatrix]

just no more Rhosgobel rabbits please:

LOL; I called them The Iditarod Coneys.

[Imperatrix]

I’ll watch the series; why not? It couldn’t be any worse than Dune 2021. 🤦🏻♀️

In reference to Jackson’s Hobbit films, does anyone else think that “Tauriel” sounds like a type of essential amino acid? 🤔

[Gtkgasman]

I’ll watch the series; why not? It couldn’t be any worse than Dune 2021. 🤦🏻♀️

In reference to Jackson’s Hobbit films, does anyone else think that “Tauriel” sounds like a type of essential amino acid? 🤔

Hey. There is a Dune 2021 thread started by Ash awhile ago. Would love to hear your take on the movie!!!! maybe over there?!? I put some quick thoughts, ie it was good, wasn’t blown away, was as expected, etc, but it’s maybe better for that thread. I got a few other thoughts as time went by. (Some odd recast of characters comes to mind). Should be on cAble soon i hope also to watch slower.