5 Possible Directions For The Amazon Lord Of The Rings Prequel

With the news that Peter Jackson is in talks with Amazon over their Lord of the Rings prequel series, and that the Amazon Prime exclusive show will take place within the movie universe, we’ve decided to take a look at 5 possible stories for the show to tell.

Option 1: A Whole New World

This isn’t meant in the literal sense, but the probability of Amazon crafting whole new stories that are entirely detached from previous canon is pretty high. The further away from previously established stories they go, the more distance they put between themselves and fan criticism over changes.

This, of course, doesn’t wipe the slate clean for them. There will still be characters and timelines which they would have to stick to, but being able to go anywhere and see anything is perhaps the best way to let the writers take a crack at this world.

Option 2: The Fall of Mordor/Osgiliath

If they wanted to create a true tie-in series that takes place between The Hobbit trilogy and the original Lord of the Rings trilogy then I couldn’t think of anything better than a war-series that focuses on the conflicts surrounding Mordor and Osgiliath once Sauron is chased away by the White Council at Dol Guldor.

This setting would allow for certain actors such as Sean bean to return to our screens, and would act as the big name draw that I’m sure Amazon will be searching for to help sell the product.

Whilst it does make it tricky in terms of canon, as there are plenty of toes they could step on so-to-speak, it would create an intriguing and gripping scenario to watch unfold.

Option 3: Aragorn’s Mother

My personal favourite of the five options would be to see a prequel series that follows Aragorn’s mother, Gilraen.

We’re already aware that she strove for her whole life to keep Aragorn hidden from the enemy, and a series where we get to see that unfold would be something entirely different from what we’ve seen before, whilst also delivering some major backstory to one of the films most beloved characters.

Besides, who wouldn’t want to see a young Aragorn?

Option 4: The Blue Wizards

The ever mysterious Blue Wizards. Only ever hinted at in the film canon, with the most backstory for them coming in the non-canon Shadow of Mordor game via collectibles. Having a show that centred on them and their travels would not only keep the slate clean for canon purposes, but it would also allow us to be introduced to other evils within Middle Earth that could only be matched by Wizards. Evils that perhaps threatened the world of men but we never knew?

It’s certainly the possibility that opens up the most realms for travel, discovery and general adventure, but perhaps it’s a little too out there and unfamiliar for Amazon to go through with?

Option 5: A Large Scale Fantasy Epic

With the money that Amazon are throwing at this series then I wouldn’t be surprised to go this route, even if it may make it difficult in the canon aspect of things. For this option I envisage a Game of Thrones esque tale that spans all of Middle Earth and all of the various races. The scope and budget would allow us to visit locations as vast and different as Rivendell and Minas Tirith, with character playing at politics and war.

Whilst the other options are more isolated in their stories this one could take on any shape or form Amazon wished and perhaps even include one or two of the previously mentioned options, such as the fall of Mordor and Osgiliath.

Seeing the inclusion of Elves, Dwarfs and Men would certainly be a strong selling point and the larger scope could keep the door open for the return of major characters such as Gandalf, Aragorn and Elrond. The only issue being that without changing up canon, there were no major conflicts in the 60 year period between The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, so Amazon would likely have to take some artistic licence. Beyond that, if certain characters didn’t show up in a show of this style and scale then it would make little sense from a story and logic perspective, so Amazon would have to play their hand extremely well.

But what say you? What would you like to see in the Amazon prequel series? A smaller story focused on specific and new characters? Or a grander scale epic that takes a form more akin to Game of Thrones? Let us know @WeAreNiche on twitter and in the comment section below.