Lord of the Rings TV Show Reboot

[Jhaelen]

Imho, the best approach would be to just use the Middle-Earth setting and use it to tell stories that haven't been covered by Tolkien's work.
Each season could cover a different period, similar to how the 'Fargo' TV show is done. That's something I'd watch.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

More than anything, I think that’s going to be the biggest barrier to its success, if it happens. Different events than the movies, if they’re closer to the books, yeah, great. Different actors will be tough for some roles, as they really nailed the casting in a lot of places. But it’s not insurmountable. But if it looks cheaper than the movies, that’d be the deathknell for it.

A TV show would be cool as heck as long as it wans't cheap.

 

[trappedslider]

NO! NO NO! Haven't they (hollywood) already ruined my childhood enough!

 

[Eltab]

The Fall of Arnor would make a good meta-plot: a powerful kingdom divided and conquered. Normal people trying to figure out how best to survive. A very few powerful magic-users. A few magical places (Weathertop) and artifacts (those crystal balls). The BBEG usually sends hordes of minions but sometimes an 'adventuring party' of lieutenants; only rarely does he come out himself. Legends of the greatness of days gone by. Bombadil and Rivendell and the Shire somehow escape the destruction raging around the lands. Personal intrigues. The conflict of good vs evil within a single person: one main character falls over time, another struggles to attain good. Prophecies about events to come. Elves and dwarves on 'the edges of the map' but sometimes involved in events.

 

[Ryujin]

The Fall of Arnor would make a good meta-plot: a powerful kingdom divided and conquered. Normal people trying to figure out how best to survive. A very few powerful magic-users. A few magical places (Weathertop) and artifacts (those crystal balls). The BBEG usually sends hordes of minions but sometimes an 'adventuring party' of lieutenants; only rarely does he come out himself. Legends of the greatness of days gone by. Bombadil and Rivendell and the Shire somehow escape the destruction raging around the lands. Personal intrigues. The conflict of good vs evil within a single person: one main character falls over time, another struggles to attain good. Prophecies about events to come. Elves and dwarves on 'the edges of the map' but sometimes involved in events.

There are lots of parts of "The Silmarillion" that could be fleshed-out into a full series, without running afoul of the fans who get upset over Galadrial's dress being the wrong colour. It's written like a history book, so not a lot of specific information to obsess over. The only issue would be the lack of name recognition. Anything they do would need to carry a line like "A Lord of the Rings Prequel" in the title.

 

[Imaculata]

There are so many other great fantasy books to choose from!

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

There are lots of parts of "The Silmarillion" that could be fleshed-out into a full series, without running afoul of the fans who get upset over Galadrial's dress being the wrong colour. It's written like a history book, so not a lot of specific information to obsess over. The only issue would be the lack of name recognition. Anything they do would need to carry a line like "A Lord of the Rings Prequel" in the title.

Yeah that would be a great way to do the show but the producers are going to think that the familiar hooks of Strider and Frodo are too good and why take a chance.

 

[Parmandur]

Yeah that would be a great way to do the show but the producers are going to think that the familiar hooks of Strider and Frodo are too good and why take a chance.

They only have the film rights to the Hobbit and LotR, as well: it's either give up on the gravy train, or reboot with a new approach.

Hollywood decision in that case is obvious.

 

[Jhaelen]

They only have the film rights to the Hobbit and LotR, as well

Well, that's that then... one show less I have to watch.

 

[Morrus]

They only have the film rights to the Hobbit and LotR, as well: it's either give up on the gravy train, or reboot with a new approach.

Hollywood decision in that case is obvious.

Yep. Negotiate for the rest of the rights they need.