Amazon has gained the film/TV rights for the “Lord of the Rings,” and they are jumping on this ship faster than the Noldor (thank you to the two people who get that joke). They are spending massive amounts of money on their “Lord of the Rings” series. It is reported that they will spend five billion collectively on the series, which they are guaranteeing it will have five seasons. That is insane! However, their idea for what the series will be about is not as groundbreaking as the amount of money they are spending. It is reported that the show will take place before the events of “The Fellowship of the Ring” and will follow the story of a young Aragorn. I could break down every reason why I think this is a rough idea for a series, but instead, I would rather talk about the fact that they are missing out on a literal world of possibilities to make series out of.
1. The Silmarillion.
Okay, let’s get the obvious ones out of the way first. The Silmarillion is the book fans have been begging for since the original trilogy came out, and, if a series were to be made in Tolkien’s universe, this would be the book to do it off of. There is so much content packed in this one that the series could go one for virtually ever. Not to mention all the stories that could easily spin off into multiple shows. I am also using this entry to include some of the more specific stories that could be made into a series like Thingol and Melian’s story, The War of Wrath, The betrayal of the Noldor, etc. Honestly, if Amazon had half a mind, this would have been the show to make.
2. Beren and Luthien.
This is one of, if not, the greatest love stories ever told. The romance between Beren, a man lost without anyone, and Luthien, the elven princess, is one for the ages easily. There is something for everyone in this story action, adventure, love, tragedy, strong female lead, friends, etc. Their struggle is beautiful and uplifting, and it is one of the three stories in “The Silmarillion” that Tolkien himself said could be a stand-alone story. Beren and Luthien’s tale is one of the best that Middle-Earth has to offer, and it shaped much of the stories that came after.
3. The Children of Hurin.
Another one of the great stories that fans have been asking to see on the big or small screen is the tragedy or Turin Turumbar. This is another one of the stories from “The Silmarillion,” that Tolkien felt had enough content to stand on its own. The lifelong struggle of Turin and his life as an outlaw would have a great western anti-hero vibe that would make an amazing series. The story also has so many twists, turns and tragedies that it would be an excellent rival to “Game of Thrones.”
4. The Fall of Gondolin.
This is the last of the three stories that Tolkien wanted to a solo book. The rise and fall of Gondolin tells of a secret city that was founded by Turgon, who was led there by the Valar Ulmo. It was basically a utopia free from fear of evil, sickness, poverty, but it was inevitably infiltrated by dark forces that caused the city to be attacked and Turgon and his friends and family to flee. This would make a great show that is full of conspiracy, lies, and deceit.
5. The Adventures of Tom Bombadil.
If Amazon is desperate to connect their series so closely to the “Lord of the Rings” movies, then there is not a much better way to do that than with a character who was completely left out of the movie. Tom Bombadil plays a pretty huge part in the first chapters of “The Fellowship of the Ring.” He was unfortunately cut from the movie, but a tv show would be an excellent way to tie him back into the series. They could write the series as if it happens while the first movie is occurring, and they could even stick closer to the books by showing his meeting with the Hobbits from the Shire as their journey begins. There is so much power and mystery in his character to be explored further with a series.
These are only a few of the many many stories Tolkien has in his world. Tolkien had almost every event that happens in Middle-earth written down, so a lot of us who have read the books already know Aragorn's backstory. It is not a bad story by any means, but it is not nearly as impactful or interesting as the rest of the stories I have already mentioned. Plus, most of his younger days are divulged in the already existing movies. New stories would be the way to approach this beloved series, and I think that is what fans want. The stories are there, and they are waiting for the next Peter Jackson to turn them into a video. If there was to be a cinematic universe to rule them all, Tolkien's Middle-earth would be the one to do it, but I am not sure a young Aragorn story would be the way to go.
