Get ready to head back to Middle Earth. Amazon is tapping director Juan Antonio (J.A.) Bayona to direct the first two episodes of their upcoming Lord of the Rings series, according to Deadline.
Bayona is best known for directing last year’s Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and The Orphanage. He also helmed A Monster Calls and a couple of episodes of Showtime’s Penny Dreadful series.
Bayona released a statement regarding the announcement. “J.R.R. Tolkien created one of the most extraordinary and inspiring stories of all time, and as a lifelong fan it is an honor and a joy to join this amazing team,” said Bayona. “I can’t wait to take audiences around the world to Middle-earth and have them discover the wonders of the Second Age, with a never-before-seen story.”
Bayona is also set to executive produce the series alongside Belén Atienza, his longtime producing partner.
“We are thrilled to have J.A. and Belén joining the fellowship as we continue to develop this epic series,” said series writers J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay. “We have been great admirers of J.A.’s work for years, and know that his epic, cinematic and deeply heartfelt aesthetic is the perfect sensibility to bring Middle-earth to life anew.”
No premiere date or official title for the series have been announced yet.
