Teaser for 'The Rings of Power,' Amazon's new 'Lord of the Rings' series debuts: Everything we know
One does not simply walk into a "Lord of the Rings" series.
Amazon has proved that with its long gestating series based on J.R.R. Tolkien's classic novels, a fantasy epic that will take place thousands of years before the events of the classic trilogy and "Hobbit" novel. But between the time it takes to put a series of this magnitude together, coupled with COVID-19 pandemic delays, it seems like Amazon's "Rings" might never premiere.
But "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" will usher in the return of Middle-earth to our screens on September 2. Amazon dropped the first teaser trailer for the new series during Sunday's Super Bowl.
Producers explained the premise of the series: “'The Rings of Power' unites all the major stories of Middle-earth’s Second Age: the forging of the rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, the epic tale of Númenor, and the Last Alliance of Elves and Men,” said J.D. Payne & Patrick McKay, in a statement released by Amazon. “Until now, audiences have only seen onscreen the story of the One Ring – but before there was one, there were many… and we’re excited to share the epic story of them all.”
Amazon last August completed filming in New Zealand, where the original three Peter Jackson-directed films, as well as "Hobbit" prequel trilogy, were also shot (Jackson is not involved in the new project). The streamer also released a first look image from the first episode of the new series. However, Amazon did not reveal the name of the character, or even which actor, is pictured from behind.
Season 2 of "Power" will be filmed in the United Kingdom.
The series will take on new material that hasn't been seen in the theatrical films. According to Amazon's announcement, the new series "brings to screens for the very first time J.R.R. Tolkien’s fabled Second Age of Middle-earth's history. Beginning in a time of relative peace ... the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle-earth."
Created by J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, the series features a large ensemble cast including Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Maxim Baldry, Nazanin Boniadi, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Charles Edwards, Trystan Gravelle, Sir Lenny Henry, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh, Joseph Mawle, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Lloyd Owen, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers, Leon Wadham, Benjamin Walker, Daniel Weyman and Sara Zwangobani.
More: 'Lord of the Rings': Everything we know about Amazon's big series prequel, including new cast
“As Bilbo says, ‘Now I think I am quite ready to go on another journey.’ Living and breathing Middle-earth these many months has been the adventure of a lifetime. We cannot wait for fans to have the chance to do so as well,” Payne and McKay said in a statement.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Amazon's 'The Rings of Power' first teaser arrives during Super Bowl
