The creators of Amazons Lord of the Rings have unveiled the most extensive look yet at the series at the annual San Diego Comic-Con convention, promising an entirely different immersion into the fantasy world of Middle-earth.
Watch the latest trailer for the series here:
The expensive series - subtitled The Rings of Power and filmed in New Zealand- takes place 4000 years before the events in the blockbuster movie adaptations of writer J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved books, in the time period known as the Second Age.
Peter Jackson's movies were set in the Third Age, which was "post-apocalyptic, all of these kingdoms have fallen, Patrick McKay, co-creator of the new series told fans in a packed convention hall.
Rings of Power begins with Middle-earth at a time of peace, "vibrant and filled with light," and showcases the gleaming island kingdom of Numenor, McKay said. The harfoots, predecessors of hobbits, are nomads and "far from the Shire," he said.
"It's meeting every single people of Middle-earth in a different place," McKay said.
Co-creator J.D. Payne said the tranquility at the start of the story soon becomes threatened.
"Just imagine your home, your family, your job, your cosplay costume, the things that matter most to you," Payne said.
"Then suddenly imagine all that's about to be taken away. How far would you go into the darkness to protect them? That's the story we're telling," he said.
Amazon has released a three-minute trailer ahead of the series debut on 2 September Photo: Amazon
McKay and Payne appeared with several members of a large ensemble cast including Morfydd Clark, who plays the young elven warrior Galadriel, and Robert Aramayo, who portrays the half-elven Elrond.
Amazon released a three-minute trailer to drum up excitement for the series ahead of its 2 September debut on its Prime Video streaming service.
The company plans to let the story unfold in 50 hours over five seasons.
The online retailer spent about NZ$743 million producing the show's first installment, which was filmed in New Zealand making it among the most expensive TV shows ever produced.
New Zealand - no longer home of the Lord of the Rings
In April 2021 the government struck a deal with Amazon that gave the global giant more than $100 million boost to film the Lord of the Rings television series in the country.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding, Amazon was set to receive an extra 5 percent from the Screen Production Grant in addition to the 20 percent grant the production already qualified for.
Shooting for the first season wrapped up in August 2021, after production was suspended for two weeks in mid-March 2020 due to Covid.
The series was among a handful of productions granted exemptions from New Zealand's Covid-19 travel ban, allowing crew members from outside the country to work here after undergoing testing and a period in quarantine.
According to Minister for Economic Development Stuart Nash the filming resulted in creation of 2000 jobs during a Covid-hit year.
However in August of the same year, Amazon Studios told the government post-production work on season one will continue in NZ till June 2022, however season two will be filmed in the UK.
In a statement, Amazon said: "The shift from New Zealand to the UK aligns with the studio's strategy of expanding its production footprint and investing in studio space across the UK, with many of Amazon Studios' tentpole series and films already calling the UK home".
Nash told RNZ Amazon's decision was a business one, and denied that the move had anything to do with pandemic rules and compulsory MIQ stays.
- Reuters/ RNZ