The series will be eligible for a 20% screen grant
rebate that will be funded by taxpayers. The
conservative lobby group Taxpayers’ Union said
the rebate meant every New Zealand household
could end up paying more than $100.
“Who would seriously name Amazon as the
most deserving recipient of our hard-earned tax
dollars?” the group wrote in a release.
But Twyford said it will be money well spent.
“This is not a charity issue,” he said. “This is
about bringing jobs, investment, and economic
development to New Zealand.”
The series will be based on the fantasy novels
by J.R.R. Tolkien. Amazon said it would explore
new story lines that precede “The Fellowship of
the Ring.”
The show won’t be connected with the New
Line Cinema movies, although Jackson has
previously said he’d be interested in helping out.
“The Lord of the Rings” movie trilogy and “The
Hobbit” movie trilogy combined grossed nearly
$6 billion at the box office.