One show to rule them all?

[The Colourful Jester]

https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/13/16644782/the-lord-of-the-rings-amazon-television-show

I know what you're thinking - Doctor Who! But no, it's a prequel to Lord of the Rings. That's doesn't seem to be The Hobbit.

Details are in the link, but Amazon say they will explore new storylines before the events of the LotR books. Which (somewhat I guess) answers the question why bother with the movies still fresh in our minds?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings#Film_and_television

 

[Sarpedon]

I wonder if it will be the Silmarillion.

Kind of a long way for a prequel, but there's plenty of material, and it would be new.

 

[Ford]

I wonder if it will be the Silmarillion.

That was my first thought, but then, the Silmarillion proper isn't really a "Lord of the Rings" story. It all happens long before the rings were made. My old dog-eared copy of the book has a chapter on "The Rings of Power and the Third Age" but it was an afterthought.

 

[Sarpedon]

As an unapologetic Tolkein nerd, I can understand why a fellow Tolkein nerd might just say 'its the lord of the rings' to avoid having to explain that to a layman.

 

[Keith&Co.]

As an unapologetic Tolkein nerd, I can understand why a fellow Tolkein nerd might just say 'its the lord of the rings' to avoid having to explain that to a layman.

But are you REALLY an unapologetic Tolkein nerd if you don't take EVERY OPPORTUNITY to explain it? To explain it ALL? With diagrams, and the funny voices and everything?

I mean, _I_ cannot sit still if someone mentions the number of Star Trek TV series there have been, if I have the chance to say, "Yeah, the mundanes always forget the illustrated series..."

 

[Malintent]

There are bajillion references to potentially deep story lines within the Hobbit... in the songs and poetry, and directly in dialog.
I don't see them using Tolkien's "studio notes" that his son gathered together after his death (the Silmarillion) to make a series out of "the coming of men" and "the coming of elves", etc...

What people (think they) know about Middle Earth is just a small part of the Third Age.... and there are so many stories that can be told within that Age alone.

I'd watch an entire season just on Tom Bombadil.. and you "nerds", I think, may have completely forgotten the OTHER prequel to the Lord of the rings... The Adventures of Tom Bombadil.

 

[James Brown]

Elves, Balrogs, and Nazgûl: 16 Possible Plots for the Lord of the Rings TV Series