“As we searched for the location in which we
could bring to life the primordial beauty of
the Second Age of Middle-earth, we knew
we needed to find somewhere majestic,
with pristine coasts, forests, and mountains,”
showrunners and executive producers J.D. Payne
and Patrick McKay wrote in a statement.
But Amazon wouldn’t reveal the extent of its
plans for the series. It declined to say how much
it plans to spend, how many seasons the show
will run, or when it will debut.
Some have speculated Amazon could spend
more than $1 billion on the series as it looks to
take on other streaming services like Netflix with
its Prime Video service.
New Zealand’s Economic Development Minister
Phil Twyford welcomed the news, saying the
series would give a boost to the screen industry
and create hundreds of new jobs.
“It’s a hugely significant piece of popular culture,”
Twyford said. “And it now has a special place in
New Zealanders hearts as well. We are part of
Middle-earth.”