The Lord of the Rings is an iconic fantasy series that has captured the hearts of many people worldwide. Recently, there has been a lot of buzz about the new Lord of the Rings spin-off movies that Warner Brothers is planning to make. Elijah Wood, the actor who portrayed the protagonist Frodo Baggins in the original Lord of the Rings trilogy, has recently expressed his views on the subject.
In a recent interview with GQ, Elijah Wood discussed his role in the TV show Yellowjackets, his character, and the release of Season 2. During the interview, the topic of Lord of the Rings came up, specifically the announcement of multiple new movies by Warner Brothers. Elijah Wood shared his thoughts on the matter, saying, “I don’t know why I’m surprised because of course there would be more movies.”
Elijah Wood recognized that the main driving force behind the creation of these films is to generate profits. He acknowledged, “The desire to make a lot of money is clearly at the center of it. It’s not like a group of executives is saying, ‘Let’s create truly amazing art.’ And I’m not blaming anyone for this because, of course, it’s a business. However, it’s possible for great art to emerge from commercial ventures. So these two aspects are not necessarily incompatible.”
The Creation of a “Star Wars-like Franchise”
Warner Brothers made headlines earlier this year with their ambitious plan to create a cinematic universe out of the beloved Lord of the Rings franchise, with the goal of capturing the same magic and success as the Star Wars franchise. This announcement has stirred up a lot of excitement and speculation amongst fans of the books and movies alike.
Although no scripts have been written yet, it’s clear that Warner Brothers is looking to capitalize on the massive success of the original Lord of the Rings trilogy, which grossed over $2 billion worldwide and won multiple Academy Awards. With the vast amount of material available in J.R.R. Tolkien’s world, the possibilities for new stories and characters are endless.
Creating a “Star Wars-like franchise” is no small feat, however. It requires careful planning and execution to create a cohesive and compelling universe that can sustain multiple films and spinoffs. Warner Brothers will have to carefully balance the expectations of fans with the need to create something new and exciting.
Elijah Wood expressed his apprehension that the decision could result in the creation of films that lack the same emotional depth and sincerity as the original trilogy. “But Lord of the Rings did not originate from that mindset,” he added.
“It was born out of a love for the books and a desire to see them brought to life. My hope is that this same driving force will continue to propel the subsequent movies forward. I simply wish that whoever is hired to write and direct these films will approach Tolkien’s work with respect and eagerness to delve into it.”
The Amazon Series and Middle-earth’s Second Age
In the previous year, Amazon introduced the television series “Rings of Power,” which is based on the Second Age of Middle-earth. Fans and critics have given great reviews to the show, and Amazon is currently producing a second season, but no official release date has been announced yet.
During the interview, Elijah Wood refrained from commenting on the Amazon series. However, it is apparent that he desires any upcoming Lord of the Rings projects to be created with the same level of care and enthusiasm as the initial trilogy.
Elijah Wood’s perspective on the upcoming Lord of the Rings spin-off movies highlights the concerns of many fans of the franchise. While it is understandable that studios want to create profitable franchises, it is crucial that they stay true to the source material and the heart of the story.
The success of the original trilogy was due in no small part to the passion and enthusiasm that went into making it. We can only hope that any future Lord of the Rings projects will be made with the same care and attention.